Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Capistrano Beach, CA
Looking to make Capistrano Beach, CA your home? With a cozy population of about 7,400, this scenic coastal neighborhood offers a relaxed lifestyle, highly rated schools, and a sunny Mediterranean climate with 73% sunny days. While the median home price is a steep $1.4 million and average 2-bedroom rents run about $3,250, residents enjoy low violent crime (106 per 100K), short 27.5-minute commutes, and excellent access to healthcare. With top schools and ocean views, Capistrano Beach is perfect for those seeking a safe, beachside community with a premium cost of living.
Demographics - Capistrano Beach, CA
Demographics - Capistrano Beach, CA
Capistrano Beach is a close-knit coastal community of around 7,400 residents, with a median age of 43.2 and a balanced gender ratio. The neighborhood is predominantly White (72%), with a significant Hispanic or Latino presence (21%) and about 18.5% of residents speaking languages other than English at home. This diverse yet small population contributes to the area's friendly, laid-back atmosphere.
Population:
7,400
Density:
3,500 per sq mi
Median Age:
43.2
Gender Ratio:
98 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
18.5%

Ethnic Composition
White:
72.0%
Black:
0.6%
Asian:
3.5%
Others:
2.9%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in Capistrano Beach, CA?
Living in Capistrano Beach comes with a premium cost, with the median home value at $1.4 million and average rents around $3,250 for a two-bedroom. The overall cost of living index is 182.0, reflecting much higher-than-average expenses, especially for housing and transportation. Residents pay higher state taxes but enjoy easy access to amenities and coastal lifestyle perks.
Median House Value:
$1,400,000
Gross Rent:
$3,250
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$120
Auto Insurance:
$1,950
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$4,250
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$1,250
State Taxes:
Low:
1.0%
|
High:
13.3%
Cost Of Living Index:
182.0
Grocery:
113.2
Housing:
285.0
Utilities:
107.2
Transportation:
136.0
Health Care:
108.7
Miscellaneous:
120.1
Crime
Is Capistrano Beach, CA a safe place to live?
Capistrano Beach is considered a safe community, with violent crime rates at just 106 incidents per 100,000 people and property crimes at 1,489 per 100,000. The chance of being a victim of violent crime is low, approximately 1 in 943. This low crime rate adds to the appeal for families and individuals seeking peace of mind.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
106
Property Crimes Per 100k:
1,489
Crime Index:
1,595
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 943
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 67
Weather
What is the weather like in Capistrano Beach, CA year-round?
The area enjoys a classic Mediterranean climate, with mild winters averaging 45–65°F and pleasant summers ranging from 62–78°F. Capistrano Beach benefits from 73% sunny days annually and an average rainfall of 13 inches, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. The consistently comfortable weather supports an active, beach-oriented lifestyle year-round.

Winter
Min:
45°F
Max:
65°F

Spring
Min:
52°F
Max:
70°F

Summer
Min:
62°F
Max:
78°F

Fall
Min:
56°F
Max:
75°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
13.0 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
73%
Neighbors
Residents of Capistrano Beach tend to have higher-than-average household incomes, with a median around $115,700, and a family income of $135,200. The community is well-educated, with nearly 94% holding at least a high school diploma and 45% having a bachelor's degree or higher, while the poverty rate remains low at 7.2%. Most locals enjoy short commutes and a strong sense of neighborhood connection.
Median Income:
$52,000
Household Income:
$115,700
Family Income:
$135,200
Per Capita Income:
$62,800
Income Male:
$68,350
Income Female:
$53,900
Poverty Rate:
7.2%
Non English Speakers:
18.5%
Rent:
$3,250
Unemployment Rate:
3.7%
Public Transport Usage:
2.2%
Commute Time:
27.5 minutes

Education
High School or Higher:
93.7%
Bachelors or More:
44.8%
Education
How are the schools in Capistrano Beach, CA?
Families in Capistrano Beach have access to quality public and private schools, such as Palisades Elementary and Shorecliffs Middle School, both known for their welcoming environments and solid student-teacher ratios. Private options like St. Edward the Confessor Parish School are also available, and higher education is easily accessible through nearby institutions like Saddleback College. The area's educational resources support students from early childhood through college.

Public Schools
Name:
Palisades Elementary School
Street:
26462 Via Sacramento
Phone:
949-496-5942
Students:
420
Student Teacher Ratio:
24:1
Name:
Shorecliffs Middle School
Street:
240 Via Socorro, San Clemente, CA 92672
Phone:
949-498-1660
Students:
1,100
Student Teacher Ratio:
23:1

Private Schools
Name:
St. Edward the Confessor Parish School
Street:
33866 Calle La Primavera, Dana Point, CA 92629
Phone:
949-496-1241
Students:
380

Colleges
Name:
Saddleback College
City:
Mission Viejo
State:
CA
Distance:
8 miles
Students:
18,500
Name:
California State University, Fullerton (Irvine Center)
City:
Irvine
State:
CA
Distance:
19 miles
Students:
2,500
Healthcare
Capistrano Beach residents have excellent access to healthcare, with major hospitals like Mission Hospital Laguna Beach and Mission Viejo nearby. The community benefits from a high health insurance coverage rate of 91% and a solid supply of physicians at 2.5 per 1,000 residents. Emergency services and general medical care are readily available for families and individuals.

Major Hospitals
Name:
Mission Hospital Laguna Beach
Address:
31872 Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Phone:
(949) 499-1311
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
Mission Hospital Mission Viejo
Address:
27700 Medical Center Rd, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Phone:
(949) 364-1400
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
2.5
Health Insurance Coverage:
91.0%
Health Care Index:
76.2
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in Capistrano Beach, CA?
The Capistrano Beach housing market is characterized by its high median home price of $1.4 million and an average two-bedroom rent of $3,250. The area has a 59% owner-occupancy rate, low rental vacancy, and a modest home appreciation rate of 4.3% over the last year. This competitive market reflects the neighborhood's desirability and limited housing supply.
Median Home Price:
$1,400,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$3,250
Owner Occupied Rate:
59.0%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
3.8%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
4.3%
New Construction Rate:
0.8%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.2%
DMV Information
Capistrano Beach residents are served by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, with the nearest office located in Irvine. The DMV offers a full range of services, from licensing to registration, and can be reached at 1-800-777-0133 or through their website. Appointments are recommended to help streamline visits.
State:
California
Department:
California Department of Motor Vehicles
Address:
320 Santa Barbara Ave, Irvine, CA 92606
Phone:
1-800-777-0133
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.