Santa Ana rent control study shows faster rent growth in regulated units

A study by Beacon Economics, commissioned by the Pacific West Association of REALTORS®, indicates that Santa Ana’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) has not improved housing affordability. The analysis found that rents in regulated units grew faster than in exempt multifamily properties between 2022 and 2025, with one-bedroom rents increasing 1.6 percentage points faster and two-bedroom rents increasing 2.6 percentage points faster.

The report suggests that any observed improvements in affordability were driven by rising household incomes rather than the rent caps themselves. The findings align with broader research suggesting that rent control can lead to reduced housing supply and increased administrative costs.