With the relentless demand for housing in both Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita, people often ask how the cities compare with each other. Especially after the pandemic subsides and normalcy returns, you may be thinking about a move or want to review the advantages and disadvantages of both areas.
Both Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita (RSM) share some traits where they both provide comfortable temperature ranges in the winter, a lower cost of living when compared with Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Irvine or other major cities like L.A., and San Diego, and other characteristics. Nevertheless, there are obviously a number of differences too.
In terms of space, Mission Viejo is larger than RSM, measuring out at 18.03 square miles compared to RSM’s 12.94 square miles. Due to this fact, Mission Viejo has a larger population than RSM, totaling about 95,516 people, while RSM’s population is roughly fifty percent less at 48,500 residents.
Education
Both Mission Viejo and RSM offer a well-educated population, with around 57.5 percent of those in RSM have a four-year college degree and about 53.9 percent in Misson Viejo. Corresponding graduation rates for both cities are included in the chart below:
Mission Viejo, CA Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
High School Graduation Rate 94.4% 95.9%
College graduation rate 43% 32%
Grad school graduation rate 15% 16.4%
Politics
Both Mission Viejo and RSM are slightly democratic based on the 2020 presidential election, 53.5% of people in Orange County voted Democrat, 44.4% voted Republican, and the remaining 2.1% voted Independent.
In Mission Viejo, where they voted Republican in 2016, they switched in 2020 to Democrat. 62.3% voted Democrat in the 2016 presidential election, 32.9% voted Republican, and the remaining 4.8% voted Independent.
Cost of Living – Which Is More Expensive?
The cost of living in Mission Viejo is higher than in RSM. AreaVibe’s cost of living index evaluates the cost of living differences between Mission Viejo and RSM according to ten categories: goods and services, grocery, healthcare, housing, crime, employment, schools, transportation, and utilities.
It is worthwhile to keep in mind that a score of 100 means the average cost of that category in the United States. If it is higher than 100, then it is cost above average.
Cost of Living Index:
Expense: Mission Viejo, CA Ranch Santa Margarita, CA Groceries 114 114
Healthcare 105 105
Housing 294 276
Schools 120 130
Transportation 136 136
Utilities 89 89
OVERALL 167 162
Based on this analysis, Rancho Santa Margarita is a little bit more affordable than Mission Viejo, providing slightly less costly housing and better schools. Both Mission Viejo and RSM provide residents a much higher cost of living. But if you’re a long time resident of California or relocating with a good paying job you are paying for convenience and a comfortable lifestyle without all the weather problems of the mid-west and east coast each year.
It’s complicated to discover a place that provides a good quality of life, convenience, and affordability – and Mission Viejo and RSM provide all of that and more.
Real Estate
The annual median price of a home in Mission Viejo is $867,800. This is less expensive than the median home price in RSM, which is $755,500. Rent in RSM is usually less expensive as well, with average rent in RSM around $2,054 per month compared to $2,119 in Mission Viejo.
If you are seeking an experienced real estate agent in Orange County to help you with your search, contact us to speak with local and state licensed experts.
In regards to architectural style, features mostly modern Spanish colonial, Ranch, Mission Revival and Western Craftsman style homes. There is one neighborhood with Mello Roos taxes. That would be Dove Canyon in Rancho Santa Margarita.
Both Mission Viejo and RSM offer a vibrant community of forward-thinking, hard-working, and well-educated individuals. There are so many reasons to love both cities; it’s hard to go wrong with either choice. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you are contemplating moving and have any questions!