Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Laguna Hills
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Laguna Hills
Rent control: Laguna Hillshas no local rent-stabilization ordinance we track, so California's statewide cap (AB 1482) is the main protection. It limits annual increases on most buildings at least 15 years old, with exemptions. Verify a building's status before signing.
General information, not legal advice.
How Laguna Hills scores for you
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Laguna Hills is a residential area in south Orange County, situated between Laguna Canyon and the coastal communities to the south. It's a car-dependent part of Orange County with a quiet, suburban character: tree-lined streets, single-family homes, and planned communities dominate the landscape. The area draws families and professionals seeking a stable, lower-density neighborhood away from the busier coastal corridor.
Day-to-day living here centers on driving. Sidewalks and walkability exist for some errands, but most trips require a car. Public transit is minimal, with no rail stations nearby and limited bus service. In exchange, you get a sense of space, lower density than many Orange County neighborhoods, and access to regional parks and hiking in the nearby canyons.
Living here
Laguna Hills ranks 200th of 319 for walkability across Orange County and nearby areas, meaning you can handle some errands on foot, but a car is necessary for most shopping, dining, and activities. The area ranks 251st of 317 for traffic exposure, placing it in a high-traffic corridor, so commutes and daily drives can be congested. You'll find a modest selection of restaurants, coffee shops, and gyms within a short walk, along with several neighborhood parks like Wingspan Park and Beckenham Park for outdoor recreation.
The neighborhood has limited tree cover (12 percent canopy), creating a mostly open streetscape. Air quality is below the California median for diesel PM exposure (rank 152 of 318), a factor worth noting if you're sensitive to traffic pollution. Rents for current residents average around $2,663, though this figure includes long-term and rent-stabilized tenants; budget higher for a new lease. Overall, Laguna Hills suits renters who prioritize suburban quiet and don't mind relying on a car.
Who it's for
Laguna Hills works best for renters who want a low-key, single-family residential feel and have reliable car access. It appeals to families, remote workers, and those prioritizing peaceful surroundings over walkability or transit convenience. If you need frequent access to public transportation, downtown urban energy, or the ability to walk to most errands, look elsewhere in Orange County.
Environment & livability
Air quality: below the California median for diesel PM exposure.
Air quality here is better than average for the state. Worth noting if you have respiratory sensitivities.
Traffic exposure: high traffic corridor exposure.
This area is near major traffic corridors, linked to higher noise levels, diesel PM, and reduced street-level comfort.
Tree cover: limited tree cover, mostly open streetscape.
Less canopy means more heat exposure and less visual greenery on daily walks. LA County median is around 14% canopy coverage.
Walkability: walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
A mixed walkability area. Good for quick trips on foot, but some destinations will require driving or transit.
Transit: minimal transit access, car strongly recommended.
Very infrequent or no meaningful transit nearby. Car dependency is high in this area.
Environmental data from CalEnviroScreen 4.0 and the EPA Smart Location Database. Informational only, not professional advice for a housing decision.
Who lives in Laguna Hills
Population
40,596
Renters
34%
of households rent
Median age
42
Median income
$145k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Schools in Laguna Hills
3 public schools sit inside this area · 3 with published results. Figures are the share of students who met or exceeded state standards.
| School | Grades | English | Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lomarena Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 49% | 42% |
| Valencia Elementary Elementary | K-6 | 75% | 65% |
| Oxford Preparatory Academy - MiddleCharter Intermediate/Middle/Junior High | 6-8 | 80% | 65% |
Source: California Dept. of Education (directory) and CAASPP Smarter Balanced, 2025. We publish these figures as the state reports them and show the same table for every neighborhood. Saktoo does not rate schools, and school data is never part of a neighborhood match score. Attendance boundaries change — confirm the assigned school with the district before relying on it.
Around Laguna Hills
Ralphs · Smart & Final Extra! · Stater Bros.
ChaPlus · Karak House Coffee Co. · Starbucks
Baja Fresh · Carl's Jr. · Chuck E. Cheese · Dublin 4 Gastropub
Aliso Creek Open Space · Aliso Viejo Community Park · Aliso Viejo Ranch · Argonaut Park
24 Hour Fitness · BigBad Wolfe Ironworks · Body Evolution OC · CycleBar
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Similar neighborhoods
Next to Laguna Hills
What the census says about Laguna Hills
Facts about the neighborhood from the American Community Survey. These describe Laguna Hills; none of them feed the scores above.
- Typical commute
- 27 min
- one way, residents who work
- Settled households
- 72%
- moved in before 2018
- Housing built
- ~1985
- average year of construction
- Above 1 per room
- 3%
- a measure of housing pressure
- Vacant units
- 7%
- of all housing units
- Broadband
- 97%
- of households subscribe
- Detached houses
- 53%
- the rest are attached or apartments
- Typical size
- 3 bed
- median across all homes here
- Homes here
- 14,388
- total housing units
Averaged across 24 areas of about a kilometre each. ACS 5-year estimates.
Laguna Hills in the regional index
How Laguna Hills places when every neighborhood in LA and Orange County is scored the same way.
- Where growing up led to higher adult earnings
Ranks #63 of 263 neighborhoods on this weighting.
- Where police report the fewest incidents
Ranks #81 of 254 neighborhoods on this weighting.
Finding a place in Laguna Hills
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car in Laguna Hills?+
Yes. The area ranks low for both walkability and transit access, with no nearby rail stations and minimal bus service. A car is strongly recommended for daily life.
What's the traffic like?+
Laguna Hills is in a high-traffic corridor (rank 251 of 317), meaning you'll encounter congestion on commutes and regular drives. Traffic is a real factor to consider if you're sensitive to delays.
Are there parks and outdoor spaces?+
Yes. The area has several neighborhood parks within a short walk, including Wingspan Park and Clarington Park, plus easy access to hiking and trails in nearby Laguna Canyon.
How much should I budget for rent?+
Current residents pay around $2,663 per month on average, but this includes people on long-term or rent-stabilized leases. New leases typically run higher, so budget above that figure when searching.
Is Laguna Hills walkable?+
Laguna Hills ranks #239 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in Laguna Hills?+
Current residents of Laguna Hills pay a median rent of about $2,663 per month (Census ACS). Asking rents for new leases typically run higher.
How is the air quality in Laguna Hills?+
Laguna Hills has below the California median for diesel PM exposure, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 50 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Laguna Hills?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Laguna Hills are San Marino, Mission Viejo Foothills, Mission Viejo Hills and Pacific Palisades.