By the Numbers
Understanding Affordable Housing in Laguna Beach
Affordable housing built on NCC property will be dedicated to address the number one need for many: limited-income seniors, city and school employees, artists, retail workers and other lower-wage employees who help us thrive as a community. Economic diversity within our city is not only morally right, but economically and culturally beneficial.
30%The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines affordable housing as housing where rent is restricted to enable households of various income groups to pay no more than 30% of their gross income on housing cost, including utilities.
87%For a low-income earner in Laguna Beach or Orange County earning approximately $34,968, the cost of rent encompasses 87% of a worker’s salary.
16.7%Rent increase in Orange County from 2020-2021.
82%Percent of people with extremely low incomes (less than $30K per year) who spend more than half of their salary on rent.
Benefits of Affordable Housing
Creates stable long-term communities— Those with limited income will have a rent that is affordable for their income, and does not get raised too fast
Reduces traffic and pollution from commuting by maintaining worker population close to work
Helps young adult & families to afford staying in OC
Increases retail sales & tax base, supporting the local economy and small businesses
Increases wellness by creating a home that is safe and affordable
Makes other life necessities affordable—medications, child care, food, transportation, etc
By reducing sprawl, Infill housing supports reducing carbon emissions by using land in areas developed
Decreases crime, increases property values
Nearly 40% of Laguna Beach
Households would qualify for
affordable housing
Mean Household Income in Laguna Beach, 2021
Dividing the number of households in Laguna Beach into five groups— each 20% of the population of the city—the table above shows the mean household income for each group. The mean income is the average income across all households in any one particular group.
The takeaway—everyone in Laguna Beach has a friend or family member who would benefit from access to affordable housing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2017-2021 5-Year estimates / Neilsberg
What incomes will tax-credit-financed
affordable housing generally be for?
2024 HUD Multifamily Tax Subsidy Project (MTSP) Income Limits
by Household Size for Orange County
AMI = Area Median Income
Rental Market Trends
in Laguna Beach?
Average Rent in Our City
$2,617As of May, 2024, the average rent per month in Laguna Beach, for a one bedroom apartment with an average size of 591 Sq. Ft. This is 73% higher than the national average rent price of $1,516 per month, making Laguna Beach one of the most expensive cities in the U.S. When you rent an apartment in Laguna Beach, you can expect to pay about $2,573 for a studio, and around $3,393 for a two-bedroom unit. For a three-bedroom rental, you could pay $4,444 or more.
apartments.com
Work Life in Laguna Beach
33.5%Laguna Beach is home to 5,784 jobs. Of these 33.5% are in the leisure sector, which include hotel housekeepers, restaurant servers and cooks. The average annual salary of a leisure worker is $31,000, which qualifies as extremely low-income for the head of a family of four or very low-income for a single adult.
$50.1KThe average salary overall for employees in the City of Laguna Beach is $50,130. For someone earning this amount of money, the only affordable housing options are located very far from the city.
Source: Southern California Association of Governments, Local Profiles Report for the City of Laguna Beach, May 2019
What types of workers earn from
$32,000 to $40,000 per year?
Annual Income based on $15 to $19 an hour
Ziprecruiter.com
What types of workers earn from
$41,000 to $51,000 per year?
Annual Income based on $21 to $25 an hour
Ziprecruiter.com
