City · 15,272 residents · Orange County, California
La Palma, California
In La Palma, a typical home is worth $973,600 and typical rent is $2,262 a month. Compared with all of Orange County, typical rent is 7% lower and the share of households that own their home is 11 points higher.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $868,230 to $1,185,448.
From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
La Palma is in Orange County. The FHA loan limit ($1,249,125 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Orange County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in Hawaiian Gardens, the typical home value is $554,100: 43% less than in La Palma ($973,600).
2
Nearby, in Hawaiian Gardens, the typical rent is $1,696: 25% less than in La Palma ($2,262).
3
According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in La Palma rose 4.4%; in California, it rose 0.6%.
4
68% of households in La Palma own their home, against 56% in Orange County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); Zillow (September 2026 data). Zillow data
The homes here
Housing in La Palma
What homes there are in La Palma, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
La Palma
Orange County
California
United States
Kind of home: La Palma and its comparisons
Measure
La Palma
Orange County
California
United States
Detached house
66%
49%
57%
61%
Attached house
7%
13%
7%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
Unreliable estimate
9%
8%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
26%
24%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
3%
4%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
0%
In La Palma, 7 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Orange County, 5.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
La Palma
Orange County
California
United States
Year built: La Palma and its comparisons
Measure
La Palma
Orange County
California
United States
Before 1960
6%
17%
27%
26%
1960–1979
76%
40%
29%
24%
1980–1999
11%
26%
25%
25%
2000–2009
7%
8%
11%
14%
2010 or later
Unreliable estimate
9%
8%
11%
The typical home in La Palma was built in 1972, 5 years before the typical one in Orange County.
In La Palma, 70% of homes have 3 bedrooms or more, more than in Orange County (56%).
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100KUnreliable
$100K–$200KUnreliable
$200K–$300KUnreliable
$300K–$500KUnreliable
$500K–$750K10%
$750K–$1M37%
$1M or more46%
Value of owner-occupied homes: La Palma and its comparisons
Measure
La Palma
Under $100K
Unreliable estimate
$100K–$200K
Unreliable estimate
$200K–$300K
Unreliable estimate
$300K–$500K
Unreliable estimate
$500K–$750K
10%
$750K–$1M
37%
$1M or more
46%
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$999Unreliable
$1,000–$1,499Unreliable
$1,500–$1,99919%
$2,000–$2,49938%
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: La Palma and its comparisons
Measure
La Palma
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
Unreliable estimate
$1,000–$1,499
Unreliable estimate
$1,500–$1,999
19%
$2,000–$2,499
38%
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
With a mortgage
$3,468 a month
Orange County: $3,385 a month
Without a mortgage
$708 a month
Orange County: $902 a month
Owners with a mortgage
59%
Orange County: 67%
Owning costs about the same in La Palma as in Orange County: with a mortgage, $3,468 a month; without one, $708.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
La Palma+48%
Orange County+42%
California+46%
United States+53%
Typical rent
La Palma+27%
Orange County+31%
California+36%
United States+33%
Typical household income
La PalmaNo clear change
Orange County+29%
California+32%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: La Palma and its comparisons
Measure
La Palma
Orange County
California
United States
Typical home value
+48%
+42%
+46%
+53%
Typical rent
+27%
+31%
+36%
+33%
Typical household income
No clear change
+29%
+32%
+29%
The typical home value in La Palma rose 48% since 2015–2019, more than in Orange County (42%).
Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in La Palma rose 27%, less than in Orange County (31%).
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: La Palma and its comparisons
Measure
La Palma
Orange County
California
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
4.4%
4.2%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
0.7%
0.8%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
8.9%
8.2%
3.4%
People per household
2.98
2.87
2.84
2.53
Drive alone
69%
68%
66%
69%
Carpool
12%
9%
10%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
2%
3%
3%
Work from home
16%
19%
17%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
2%
2%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
Much as in Orange County, a household in La Palma has 2.98 people on average.
To get to work, 69% of workers in La Palma drive alone; in Orange County, 68%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in La Palma?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in La Palma, worth $973,600, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 81% of the typical household income in La Palma, which is $117,989 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $341,307 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Orange County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in La Palma. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $34,076 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$7,964
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$955,966
Total interest
$1,375,410
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $16,442 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $2,753 a month
Tight
$2,753 to $3,540 a month
Hard
more than $3,540 a month
Your payment · 81%
Compared with the typical household income in La Palma ($117,989 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$6,476
Property tax
$495
Home insurance
$406
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$587
You need at least $34,076 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $7,964; principal and interest $6,476.
The city and its county
La Palma and Orange County
La Palma is in Orange County, California. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Map of Orange County, California, with La Palma marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Orange County
La Palma's own numbers
Typical home value
$973,600
Typical monthly rent
$2,262
Typical yearly household income
$117,989
Households that own their home
68%
Effective property tax rate
0.61%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Orange County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$1,249,125
Conventional limit, one unit
$1,249,125
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$3,057
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+54%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
2.8%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Orange County.
A typical home in La Palma is worth $973,600: about the same as the county and 33% above California. With the typical household income in La Palma ($117,989 a year), a typical home costs 8.3 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
La Palma8.3 years
Orange8.3 years
California7.4 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Orange County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Orange County rose 89% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Orange County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Orange County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +6.5% +6.5% 2016
2017: +5.2% +5.2% 2017
2018: +5.2% +5.2% 2018
2019: +2.3% +2.3% 2019
2020: +2.2% +2.2% 2020
2021: +9.9% +9.9% 2021
2022: +16.4% +16.4% 2022
2023: +7.3% +7.3% 2023
2024: +8.3% +8.3% 2024
2025: +3.3% +3.3% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Orange County, California and the United States
Period
County
California
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+3.3%
+0.8%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+54%
+40%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+89%
+80%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
La Palma next to Orange County, California and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
La Palma$973,600
Orange$962,600
California$734,700
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
La Palma$2,262
Orange$2,434
California$2,036
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
La Palma$117,989
Orange$116,289
California$99,122
United States$80,734
See the full table
La Palma next to Orange County and California
Measure
La Palma
Orange County
California
U.S.
Typical home value
$973,600
$962,600
$734,700
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$2,262 ▼7% below the county
$2,434
$2,036
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$117,989
$116,289
$99,122
$80,734
Households that own their home
68% ▲11 points above the county
56%
56%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$5,959 ▼6% below the county
$6,330
$5,124
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.61% ▼0.05 points below the county
0.66%
0.7%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
65% ▲8 points above the county
57%
55%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Orange County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in La Palma
For a typical $973,600 home in La Palma, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, La Palma's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$7,964a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$34,076
Cash to close
$63,284
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $587
Conventional, 5% down$7,629a month
Down payment
$48,680
Cash to close
$77,888
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $462
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$6,177a month
Down payment
$194,720
Cash to close
$223,928
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$7,077a month
Down payment
$146,040
Cash to close
$175,248
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in La Palma
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$7,964
$34,076
$955,966
7.18%
FHA MIP · $587
$63,284
580
Conventional, 5% down
$7,629
$48,680
$924,920
7.18%
PMI · $462
$77,888
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$6,177
$194,720
$778,880
7.18%
None
$223,928
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$7,077
$146,040
$827,560
8.18%
None
$175,248
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in La Palma is $2,262 a month: 7% below the county. In La Palma, 65% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Orange County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($3,057 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $58.79 an hour working full time.
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
There are 10 HUD-approved agencies with an office in Orange County; 6 say they serve in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for La Palma or Orange County. The ones below are statewide in California: they work in La Palma the same as in the rest of the state.
CalHFA second loan with deferred payments for the down payment or closing costs of first-time buyers in California.Offered by California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).
CalHFA down payment loan for first-generation buyers in California; when you sell, you repay the loan plus a share of the home's appreciation.Offered by California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).
CalHFA second loan with deferred payments for the down payment or closing costs of first-time buyers who use the CalPLUS Access mortgage (FHA or conventional).Offered by California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).
No legal help resource on our list is for La Palma or Orange County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for La Palma and all of Orange County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in La Palma?
The typical home value in La Palma is $973,600, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Orange County it is $962,600.
How much does it cost to rent in La Palma?
Typical rent in La Palma is $2,262 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Orange County is $3,057.
What is the FHA loan limit in La Palma?
La Palma uses the FHA limit for all of Orange County (2026): $1,249,125 for a one-unit home and $2,402,625 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in La Palma?
The typical homeowner in La Palma pays $5,959 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.61% of the home’s value; in Orange County, the rate is 0.66%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in La Palma?
There are 10 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Orange County. 6 say they serve in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
