Mission Viejo, CA

Mission Viejo CA scores 83/100 on safety (above average). Crime is about 53% below the national average. Most neighborhoods are fine for evening walks; still check the block you actually rent.

Detail: overall crime index 47 (100 = avg); violent crime index 31; property crime index 62. Indexes near 100 track a typical U.S. load. Higher means more crime pressure on that category.

School quality varies by neighborhood in Mission Viejo. Check GreatSchools.org or your local district for current ratings before you choose a ZIP.

Typical rent in Mission Viejo is about $2,839/month (very expensive). At $2,839/month for a typical unit, you need about $102,204+ in household income to rent comfortably without stretching (3× rent × 12). Typical home value: $1,009,600.

Median household income is $136,123, property taxes run about 1.45%, and homes typically sell in around 28 days. Local median income ($136,123) clears the $102,204 comfort line for that rent.

Walk Score 68 (Somewhat Walkable); transit score 42 (Some Transit).

Average temperature is about 81°F (highs near 90°F, lows near 73°F).

Most of the year is outdoor-friendly; peak summer still needs AC for comfort. Cooling costs matter more than heating for most of the year. If you visit, go in late summer so you feel the heat, not just a mild weekend.

Who tends to thrive in Mission Viejo: (1) Households that want quieter streets (safety sits at 83/100) (2) Dual-income households (at $2,839/month, the rent math works much better with two salaries) (3) Tech and finance workers (the job market is real and local pay near $136,123 helps carry housing costs) (4) People relocating for a job who can pick a safer ZIP (citywide safety is 83/100)

Who should look elsewhere: (1) Single earners under $70k (the rent-to-income ratio is tight at $2,839/month) (2) Anyone stretching past 40% of take-home on housing at $2,839/month (3) Households expecting top marks on rent and safety at once (Mission Viejo does not clear every bar)

Income sniff test: clear about $102,204 household income for $2,839/month rent. Under that, pick a cheaper ZIP or a different city.

Mission Viejo holds up well on the core metrics we publish. Safety at 83/100 makes it a reasonable choice for households who can manage $2,839/month rent. Verify school ratings for your target ZIP separately.