San Juan Capistrano, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

San Juan Capistrano is a mid-size city in California with a population of 34,998. Residents earn $127,893 per year, which is 70% above the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
34,998 Population 2,425/sq mi density
$127,893 Median Income $60,670 per capita
$929,700 Home Value $1,316,019 Zillow
$2,500 Median Rent
63°F Avg Temperature
172 Violent Crime/100K 1,060 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.9 / 5.0
$127,893 median income, 2.5% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.6 / 5.0
$929,700 home value, $2,500/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
172 violent crimes/100K (55% below avg)
A
Education
4.4 / 5.0
42.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $127,893
70% higher than US avg
Home Value $929,700
230% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 172/100K
55% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 42.3%
26% higher than US avg
Median Rent $2,500
115% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 26.0%
19% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.5%
31% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.8%
61% lower than US avg

How San Juan Capistrano Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population34,998
Median Age44.8 yrs
Density2,425/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 63%

Economy

A+
Median Income$127,893
Per Capita$60,670
Unemployment2.5%
Poverty4.8%
County GDP$351,753M
Commute27 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$929,700
Rent$2,500
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$1,316,019

Crime

F
Violent172/100K
Property1,060/100K
Murder5.5/100K
Assault100/100K
Burglary169/100K

Health

Obesity26.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.4%
Heart Disease4.6%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain12.7 in/yr
Elevation125 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+42.3%
High School+88.5%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 47% / D 50%
Commute27 min
EV Stations8
Libraries67

Is San Juan Capistrano a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, San Juan Capistrano receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. San Juan Capistrano offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in San Juan Capistrano is $127,893, which is significantly higher than the national average — 70% above $75,149. This places San Juan Capistrano among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.5%. Only 4.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in San Juan Capistrano is $929,700, making it a premium housing market at 230% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,500 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 7.3x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in San Juan Capistrano is below the national average at 172 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,060 per 100,000, 46% below the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 42.3% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 88.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

San Juan Capistrano enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 56°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 12.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

San Juan Capistrano has a population of 34,998 with a density of 2,425 people per square mile. The median age is 44.8 years, 15% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (62.7%), with 1.7% Hispanic.

Population

34,998
Total Population
2,425
People / sq mi
44.8yrs
Median Age
15% above US avg
14.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.1%
Female 50.9%

Race & Ethnicity

San Juan Capistrano vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only64.2%
18% below US avg
Spanish35.8%
167% above US avg

Social Characteristics

San Juan Capistrano vs U.S. Average

The median household income in San Juan Capistrano is $127,893, which is 70% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: San Juan Capistrano vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$127,893
70% above US avg
Per Capita Income$60,670
Avg Weekly Wage$1,565
IRS Avg AGI$116,511

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.5%
31% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.8%
61% below US avg
Establishments (County)148,394
County GDP$351,753M

Business (County)

Restaurants8,853
Healthcare13,951
Retail9,811
Manufacturing4,357

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,097
188% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.09%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.0 min
Work from Home15.8%

Walkability

The median home value in San Juan Capistrano is $929,700, 230% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,500 (115% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $1,316,019.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$929,700
230% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$1,316,019
Median List Price$2,295,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$2,295,000
$/Sq Ft$709
Homes Sold27
Sale-to-List Ratio99.9%
Price Drops14.0%
Inventory50

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,500
115% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$4,094

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied78.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,097
188% above US avg
Effective Rate1.09%
In San Juan Capistrano, 26.0% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 21.4% report depression. 21.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: San Juan Capistrano vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity26.0%
19% below US avg
Diabetes8.9%
Heart Disease4.6%
High Blood Pressure25.6%
Asthma9.6%
COPD4.1%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.2%
Physical Inactivity21.6%
Depression21.4%
Mental Distress17.3%
Physical Distress12.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.4%
Checkup Rate71.2%
Premature Death5,325/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access99.1%
Healthcare Facilities13,951
San Juan Capistrano has a violent crime rate of 172 per 100,000 residents, 55% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,060 per 100,000 (46% below US avg). The murder rate is 5.5 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: San Juan Capistrano vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent171.6/100K
55% below US avg
Murder5.5/100K
12% below US avg
Rape27.7/100K
Robbery38.8/100K
Assault99.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,060.2/100K
46% below US avg
Burglary168.9/100K
Theft780.6/100K
Vehicle Theft110.7/100K
Arson5.5/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)238
FEMA Disasters364

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
San Juan Capistrano has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 56°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 12.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

56°F Jan (14°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average63.1°F
17% above US avg
January Average56°F (14°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall12.7 inches
67% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation125 ft (38 m)
Area14.4 sq mi (37.4 km²)
Population Density2,425/sq mi
Coordinates33.5009°N, 117.6544°W
County FIPS06059
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 42.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (26% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 2.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 47.1%
D 49.7%

Winner: Democrat by 2.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+42.3%
26% above US avg
High School+88.5%
School Test Score4.69
A Education Grade (4.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density2,425/sq mi
Total Area14.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations8
Alt Fuel Stations17
Public Libraries67
Healthcare Facilities13,951
Restaurants8,853
Retail Stores9,811

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)238
FEMA Disaster Declarations364
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.0 min
Work from Home15.8%

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