| STUDIO | $2,218+ |
| 1 BED | $2,164+ |
| 2 BEDS | $2,984+ |
| 1 BED | $2,608+ |
| 2 BEDS | $3,624+ |
| 1 BED | $2,576+ |
| 2 BEDS | $3,056+ |
| 2 BEDS | $3,300 |
| 1 BED | $1,950+ |
| 2 BEDS | $3,022+ |
| 3 BEDS | $3,800 |
| STUDIO | Ask for Pricing |
| 1 BED | $2,475+ |
| 2 BEDS | $3,220+ |
| STUDIO | $2,223+ |
| 1 BED | $2,488+ |
| 2 BEDS | $2,888+ |
| 1 BED | $2,797+ |
| 2 BEDS | $2,852+ |
| 1 BED | Ask for Pricing |
| 2 BEDS | Ask for Pricing |
| 3 BEDS | Ask for Pricing |
| 1 BED | $2,617+ |
| 2 BEDS | $3,362+ |
Rental prices in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA have increased by 0.24% over the past year. The average rent moved from $2,766 to $2,773.
Compared to the national average rent of $1,750, the average rent in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA is $2,773.
The average monthly rent of apartments in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA is $2,773.
About 29% of apartment rents in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA range between > $3,000. Around 42% of Rancho Santa Margarita’s apartments are in the $2,501-$3,000 price range. 29% of apartments are priced between $2,001-$2,500.
The largest share of rentals in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA (42%) fall between $2,501-$3,000 per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
Prices and availability in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA were last updated on 17 Nov 2025.
The best apartments in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA are: 55+ FountainGlen Rancho Santa Margarita, 55+ Remington at Ladera Ranch, Avila at Rancho Santa Margarita, 211 Montana Del Lago Dr and 27 Paseo Del Sol, Unit Paseo Townhome.
The average rent in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA is $2,769.
The price range for a studio apartment in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA is between $2,218 and $2,773.
The price range for a 1-bedroom apartment in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA is between $2,155 and $4,837.
The price range for a 2-bedroom apartment in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA is between $2,968 and $5,870.
In Rancho Santa Margarita, 27% of the residents are renting compared to 73% owning a home, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Large-scale apartment buildings with more than 50 units represent 21% of Rancho Santa Margarita’s rentals, 65% are small-scale complexes with under 50 units, and 14% are single-family rentals.
The age and size of multifamily buildings are among the most visible characteristics of the rental market in a city. In this case, the apartment buildings in Rancho Santa Margarita are about 30 years old, on average. Of these, 5% have been built since 2000, representing the newer options on the market and typically offering more amenities. Rental buildings in the city have an average height of 3 stories. About all of the rental communities here are low-rise, garden-style communities, none are mid-rises, and none are high-rise buildings. These are true especially for large-scale multifamily buildings with over 50 apartments.
Rental apartments in Rancho Santa Margarita come in a range of sizes and floorplans. Studio apartments represent 2% of units for rent, ideal for singles, renters on a budget and people who value central locations more than space. Rentals with 1-bedroom floorplans make up 56% of the total apartments in the city, while 2-bedroom floorplans represent around 41% of all rentals in Rancho Santa Margarita. The rest are larger floorplans with 3 bedrooms or more, typically preferred by families, larger households or roommates sharing space.
Rancho Santa Margarita is a small city in Orange County, CA, famous for offering a master-planned community. About 17 miles from Santa Ana, RSM (as the locals call it) is a hiking town and the top choice for any renter who wants to escape city living. What’s more, Rancho Santa Margarita is one of California’s safest cities, with kid-friendly trails and activities, as well as exceptional public schools. Throughout the year, the temperatures in Rancho Santa Margarita vary from 44°F to 81°F, with an average of 279 sunny days per year. Moreover, the city gets no snow, and the short, arid, clear and warm summers here are ideal for renters who want to explore the more than 65 trails in a scenic environment. That said, renters in RSM should prepare in the event of forest fires.
Rancho Santa Margarita’s rental market consists of six neighborhoods and fast-selling houses due to the city’s popularity among young renters. The most exclusive neighborhood is Walden, a small and gated community with large homes, high prices and average walkability. Conversely, renters who are looking for affordable apartments in Rancho Santa Margarita usually consider SAMLARC, which is fantastic for raising a family. SAMLARC provides its renters with community amenities like parks, pools, a beach club and trails. Living in Rancho Santa Margarita provides a dense, suburban feel to renters, with mostly large, high-value houses. Keep in mind that the average rent in RSM is more expensive than it is in some California cities, and it has a high cost of living. In most cases, rent is due on the first day of the month. Notably, landlords are required to give due notice to renters before raising rent and can charge a late fee limited to 5% of the rent.
Rancho Santa Margarita has a thriving and luxurious shopping scene for renters to enjoy, with mostly local businesses, coffee shops, parks in residential areas and a wide range of shopping malls. Specifically, the Rancho Santa Margarita Town Center is the most popular spot, with well-known retail chains, a movie theatre, dining options and more. For 24/7 shopping, renters in the city usually go to Plaza Antonio, which is popular for Board and Brew, a brewing company. RSM also has a wide range of well-known stores like Target, Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Kohl’s and Ross Dress for Less available to its renters.
Most renters in Rancho Santa Margarita drive their cars to work or for errands, as the city has average walkability and very few bike lanes. To that end, RSM is bisected by the SR-241 highway, while major roads like Antonio Parkway and Santa Margarita Parkway lead to it. And, although public transportation is not a popular choice in the city, it’s still available and provided by the Orange County Transportation Authority. This is ideal for renters who are working in other parts of the county. The bus lines pass through the city center, popular schools, shopping centers and the college in Mission Viejo. Finally, the John Wayne Airport is the closest to RSM.
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RentCafe is your one-stop shop for finding a great new apartment in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. Easily search through a wide selection of apartments for rent in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, and view detailed information about available rentals including floor plans, pricing, photos, amenities, interactive maps, and thorough property descriptions. Property owners and managers are one click away, so feel free to contact them and find out all you need to know about the apartment you’re interested in. Browse Rancho Santa Margarita, CA apartments with rents starting from $1,950 and submit your rental application today!
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