2021 Best Suburbs of Orange County, California

With just over three million residents, Orange County is the third most populous county in California, and county seat Santa Ana is the OC’s second largest city with more than 330,000 people. It also claims more than 40 miles of the Pacific coastline, while its southeastern end borders on the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains. Whether taking a low-key sunset walk on Huntington Beach Pier or enjoying a lively day at a theme park with the kids, you’ll find it here. People relocate from all over to retire in the Golden State, but not everyone finds a fast-paced lifestyle enticing and may prefer suburban living. If this describes you, check out the top 10 suburbs surrounding Santa Ana, including ones that also made the list of safest cities in California.

10. Seal Beach 

• Population: 24,119
• Median Home Value: $358,700
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 32 minutes
• School Ranking: A+     
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 601
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 39

Only 30 minutes from Santa Ana is the coastal suburb of Seal Beach. It has a patriotic flavor and is proud to be home to the World War II Submarine National Memorial West. And with California State University Long Beach just three miles north, the town has a youthful feel. If you enjoy biking, ride over to the San Gabriel River Trail, a 28-mile paved bike path. Embrace the energy in Seal Beach and browse these new homes today!  

9. Los Alamitos

• Population: 11,529
• Median Home Value: $755,000
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 30 minutes
• School Ranking: A+     
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 156
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 8

Located about 30 minutes southwest of Los Angeles, Los Alamitos offers a farmer’s market, high-end boutiques and diverse cuisine. If you are searching for an affluent small-town getaway after a long day’s work in the city, then it is highly probable you will find your perfect new home in Los Alamitos.   

8. Placentia

• Population: 51,671
• Median Home Value: $609,400
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 29 minutes
• School Ranking: A+     
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 904
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 120

About 10 miles north of Santa Ana is Placentia, one of the larger suburbs on our list. It offers upscale amenities, as well as plenty of retail shops and eateries. The community-oriented residents place a high value on family fun and appreciate their excellent education system. Discover your new home in Placentia.

7. Laguna Beach 

• Population: 22,991
• Median Home Value: $1,700,400
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 28 minutes
• School Ranking: A+     
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 443
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 90

The small coastal city of Laguna Beach is in a league of its own in offering an ultra-high-end lifestyle, as well as some of the best schools in the state. If you are the adventurous type, the waves and a surfboard may appeal to you. Or you may prefer to hike through Heisler Park or stroll through the Laguna Art Museum. The city is known for its many art galleries as well. Come see what you’ve been missing!

6. Laguna Niguel

• Population: 66,266
• Median Home Value: $795,300
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 29 minutes
• School Ranking: A-      
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 640
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 81

Adjacent to Laguna Beach, Laguna Nigel is the largest suburb on our list. You will find multiple upscale shopping venues and great restaurants with diverse fare. This inland town also has a reputation for art appreciation. Outdoor enthusiasts are sure to fall in love with all of the amenities at the Laguna Niguel Regional Park, such as volleyball and tennis courts, hiking trails and a 44-acre stocked lake. Come find your new dream home!

5. Dana Point

• Population: 33,730
• Median Home Value: $861,600
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 28 minutes
• School Ranking: A+     
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 504
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 69

Located adjacent to Capistrano Beach, Dana Point is a truly delightful sliver of paradise. This seaside community offers numerous elite boutiques and fine dining. During the evenings, you can enjoy vibrant, live music along the harbor. Check out all of the new homes awaiting you in Dana Point. 

4. Rancho Santa Margarita

• Population: 48,325
• Median Home Value: $652,400
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 30 minutes
• School Ranking: A+     
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 316
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 46

Rancho Santa Margarita is situated near the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains and is home to numerous parks that offer hiking and biking trails and plenty of family activities. It’s a suburb where you can truly get away from it all. Come explore the new home communities in Rancho Santa Margarita. 

3. Aliso Viejo

• Population: 51,783
• Median Home Value: $610,600
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 26 minutes
• School Ranking: A+     
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 445
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 43

Aliso Viejo is located in the San Joaquin Hills and is brimming with parks and golf courses. The Aliso Viejo Country Club has one of only two private Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses in Orange County. In this community, you can listen one evening to Beethoven at the Soka Performing Arts Center, and the next, you can listen to local birds and wildlife while hiking through Wood Canyon Trail. No two days are ever alike in Aliso Viejo, so look now to find your new home.

2. San Juan Capistrano

• Population: 36,013
• Median Home Value: $678,200
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 24 minutes
• School Ranking: A+     
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 351
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 84

San Juan Capistrano, located about 20 miles south of Santa Ana, was founded as a Spanish mission and has deep historical roots. This suburb is a haven for those who love a laid-back lifestyle. You can sway to an afternoon concert in the park and take in a leisurely dinner afterward. Shopping venues range from more affordable to designer brands. Swallows consider this town their domain, arriving every March like clockwork from their winter migration. Discover the magic of San Juan Capistrano in your new home.

1. Laguna Woods

• Population: 16,046
• Median Home Value: $278,300
• Mean Travel Time to Work: 23 minutes
• School Ranking: A+     
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 108
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 10

Located about 14 miles from Santa Ana is the smaller suburb of Laguna Woods. It borders the 7,000-acre Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, allowing residents easy access whenever they wish to experience the great outdoors. It’s a tight-knit community loaded with engaging events that are bound to suit everyone. Come explore the new homes in Laguna Woods. 

Additional Suburbs

Suburb	Pop.	Median Home Value	Mean Travel to Work	School Rank	Property Crimes	Violent Crimes
Laguna Hills	31,024	$688,200	25 minutes	A	402	55
Fountain Valley	55,814	$688,000	28 minutes	A	1,496	52
Cypress	48,958	$605,600	32 minutes	A	704	58
Brea	43,601	$635,400	34 minutes	A	1,293	83
Villa Park	5,839	$1,156,600	27 minutes	A-	57	0
Costa Mesa	113,615	$707,600	23 minutes	A-	3,792	344
Westminster	90,938	$581,900	28 minutes	A-	2,433	286
La Palma	15,568	$634,900	32 minutes	A-	334	20
Stanton	38,234	$360,800	29 minutes	B+	618	135
La Habra	62,183	$505,800	30 minutes	B	1,155	111

NewHomeSource pulled data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Services and the U.S. Census Bureau. In the event exact crime data was unavailable, estimates were used. These factors were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each suburb.