Apartments for Rent in Orange, CA
66 Rentals Available

Renter's guide to Orange, CA

Located in Orange County, California, the city of Orange is a suburb of Los Angeles. Known for its high concentration of historic buildings in the old town and a sublime location, Orange is a mid-sized city that enjoys a small town vibe. It ranks as the 104th best city in America for young professionals, and the 23rd healthiest city in America. Low crime rates and good school systems also make it popular with families.

Orange has a population of 140,289 and spreads across almost 26 sq. miles. In terms of area, it’s about the same as neighboring Santa Ana, but has less than half the population, meaning it’s not as crowded as other nearby cities. Compared to LA proper, it’s almost 27 times smaller by population and 18 times smaller by area.

Located around 30 miles southeast of downtown LA, Orange enjoys good transport links in all directions. The Santa Ana Freeway (Interstate 5) can be taken to downtown within 40 minutes in light traffic, though commute times can be far longer. San Diego is around 90 miles south of Orange and can be reached by taking the same freeway south.

Orange enjoys a pleasantly warm and dry climate throughout much of the year, though winters do generally see some rain. The hottest month is typically August, with highs of around 84°F, while December is typically the coldest month, with lows of around 46°F. January sees the wettest weather, with around 3.2 inches of rainfall. However, with annual precipitation levels of around 15 inches, rain is seldom an issue. Proximity to the coast ensures slightly cooler temperatures compared to more inland areas of southern California.

Tips for renting in Orange, CA

Things to do in Orange, CA

Home to numerous neighborhood parks and bordered by the Santa Ana River, and 2 regional parks, Orange is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. There’s a wealth of hiking trails to enjoy, with Irvine Regional Park offering trails for all levels of fitness. The park is also home to a campsite, lake, miniature railway line, and an outdoor education center that is ideal for kids. Additionally, the Orange County Zoo is located in the park, featuring 8-acres of local wildlife and plant life.

For fantastic fresh produce, check out the weekly Orange Home Grown (OHG) farmers market, every Saturday. You can also visit the OHG farm and take part in one of their workshops, focusing on anything from urban chicken farming, to farm to table dinners and wine pairings. Less than 5 miles away, the original Disneyland is a fantastic place to take the kids.

Orange, CA employment & economy

With a median household income of $83,500, residents of Orange earn well above state and national averages. The most common industry in Orange is health care and social assistance, followed by manufacturing, and retail trade.

Office and administrative support occupations are the most common jobs held by residents of Orange, followed by sales roles, and management positions. The highest paid residents are working in architecture and engineering occupations.

According to a 2011 report, the 3 biggest employers were all hospitals/medical centers; the Irvine medical center with 4,000 employees, Sisters of St. Joseph Hospital with 3,853 employees, and Children’s Hospital of Orange with 2,400 employees.

Education in Orange, CA

Orange is served by the Orange Unified School District, which provides 24 public schools in the city. The top-rated high school is El Modena High, which rates above average in most measures, and excels in preparing students for higher education. McPherson Magnet School accepts students from grades K through 8, and ranks as the top elementary and middle school, with students frequently scoring well above average in tests

The Chapman University is a private university that offers programs in over 100 study areas, ranging from film and media arts, to science and technology. Ten separate colleges make up the university, with each building focusing on a different area of study. Santiago Canyon College is a public community college located in the city, offering a variety of career-technical designed programs, as well as more academic study areas.