Rancho Santa Margarita East
Is Rancho Santa Margarita East a Safe Place to Live? Housing, Crime & Buyer Guide
Explore safety, home prices, commute patterns, and neighborhood insights in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA - so you can decide with confidence before buying or renting.
Most buyers only see the home. Smart buyers check the neighborhood first.
Crime Summary:
Crime Overview (last 12 months)
Severe29
Medium13
Low25
Other278
53 Registered Offenders Nearby
Rape9
Child involved39
Assault6
Other6
Crime Details:
Recent reported incidents in the past 12 months (newest first). Up to 10 records.
| Crime date | Crime description | Address | Crime category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, units were dispatched for an apparent medical emergency involving an unconscious person in a room at a location on Saxon Road in Lake Forest. | Saxon Way, Lake Forest, CA 92630 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, medical aid was dispatched for abdominal pain near the bluff side of Santa Margarita Beach at the group camp. | Avenida De Los Fundadores, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, radio traffic reports a possible traffic collision with injuries near Forest Drive and Trabuco Road. Emergency units are responding on channel 5 Delta 16. | Trabuco Rd & Lake Forest Dr, Lake Forest, CA 92630 | Traffic |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical call for abdominal pain was reported near Mithra Avenue. Cargo Engine 19 was dispatched to the scene. | Mithra Ave, Mission Viejo, CA 92691 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, emergency units were dispatched to a possible collision between a vehicle and a bicyclist near Via Aurora in Mission Viejo. The call reportedly included an alarm or injury concern. | Via Aurora, Mission Viejo, CA 92691 | Traffic |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, responders dispatched to a possible chest pain incident near Corsica Road. | Corsica Rd, Mission Viejo, CA 92692 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, engine 45 is dispatched for a possible medical emergency involving an ill patient near San Mateo in Rancho Santa Margarita, California. | San Mateo, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a call about emotional distress was reported in the lobby of Extended Stay America on Lake Forest Drive. Responders acknowledged the call. | Lake Forest Dr, Lake Forest, CA 92630 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, fire personnel were sent to a possible automatic fire alarm at a hotel on Portola Parkway in Foothill Ranch, with units responding on channel 5 Delta. | Portola Pkwy, Foothill Ranch, CA 92610 | Fire |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical call for abdominal pain was reported near Via Victoria. Engine 31 was dispatched to the scene. | Via Victoria, Mission Viejo, CA 92691 | Medical Emergency |
For all crime details - View Safety Report
Median Home Price
$894,782
Average Rent
$3,618
Vacancy Rate
2.3%
Overview
Rancho Santa Margarita East is an urban neighborhood with a median home price of $894,782, more expensive than nearly half of California neighborhoods. Housing mainly consists of small to medium single-family homes and townhomes built mostly between 1970 and 1999.
Vacancy is low at 2.3%, indicating tight housing supply. The neighborhood is popular among college students and features a unique linguistic presence of Persian speakers.
UrbanEstablished HomesLow VacancyCollege Friendly
Quick Facts
| Commute Time | 15-30 minutes |
|---|
Housing market and real estate character
The housing stock in Rancho Santa Margarita East is mostly built between 1970 and 1999, with a notable share of attached homes.
| Built 1970-1999 | 87.7 |
|---|---|
| Vacancy Rate | 2.3 |
| Attached Homes | 24.3% |
| Owner Occupied |
What buyers will notice right away
Most homes were built between 1970 and 1999, creating a consistent neighborhood character.
Nearly a quarter of homes are rowhouses or attached, offering diverse housing options.
Families & Lifestyle
This neighborhood is popular with college students and offers a safe environment.
College Friendly — Ranked among the top 5% of college-friendly neighborhoods in California.
| Children Below Poverty Line | 13.4% |
|---|
Demographics
| Executive, Management, Professional Occupations | 46.5% |
|---|---|
| Income Level | Above average |
| Iranian Ancestry | 2.5% |
| Armenian Ancestry | 1.0% |
| Persian Speakers | 2.9% |
| Foreign Born | 26.2% |
Commute
Most residents drive alone with shorter commute times than average.
The neighborhood features typical car-dependent commuting with shorter travel times.
Car-Dependent — Most residents drive alone or carpool.
Short Commute — Most commute between 15 and 30 minutes.
| Drive Alone | 73.6% |
|---|---|
| Carpool | 8.1% |
| Main Commute Time | 15-30 minutes |
Homes for sale near 92688
For-sale listings in this zip code. Open a property in HoodScore to run a safety report.
$1,099,000
3 bd | 3 ba | 1,603 sqft
237 Montana Del Lago Dr
Trabuco Canyon, CA, 92678
$1,029,000
4 bd | 3 ba | 1,603 sqft
205 Montana Del Lago Dr
Trabuco Canyon, CA, 92678
$1,129,900
3 bd | 3 ba | 1,397 sqft
44 Willowbrook Ln
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, 92688
$825,000
2 bd | 2 ba | 1,230 sqft
189 Encantado Cyn
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, 92688
$889,000
3 bd | 2 ba | 1,160 sqft
104 Seacountry Ln
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, 92688
$799,000
3 bd | 2 ba | 1,344 sqft
12 Montana Del Lago Dr #168
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, 92688
$1,030,000
4 bd | 3 ba | 1,696 sqft
243 Seacountry Ln
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, 92688
$1,299,000
3 bd | 3 ba | 2,168 sqft
33 Calle Del Norte
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, 92688
$1,069,900
2 bd | 2 ba | 1,503 sqft
5 Calle Del Norte
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, 92688
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rancho Santa Margarita East / East safe?
Many shoppers ask whether Rancho Santa Margarita East Rancho Santa Margarita CA is a good place to live from a safety perspective. HoodScore’s safety lens for this ZIP is about 88 out of 100—use it as one neighborhood safety check alongside official sources. For “Rancho Santa Margarita CA crime” context, review local police statistics and compare trends over time, not just headlines.
Are there registered offenders nearby?
Buyers doing a true neighborhood safety check should consult your state’s public registry and mapping tools for addresses near Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. HoodScore summarizes area-level signals; it does not replace official offender databases or your own verification before buying a home.
Is this neighborhood good for families?
Family fit depends on schools, commute, and how you use nearby amenities—topics covered throughout this Rancho Santa Margarita CA neighborhood guide. When moving to Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, cross-check family priorities (space, activities, work routes) with what you see in the market and lifestyle sections above.
What is the average home price?
Typical list and sale figures change with season and inventory. Use the housing facts on this page and active listings for homes for sale in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA to gauge where the market sits today. Your agent can translate those comps into a realistic offer range.
How does it compare to nearby areas?
Compare Rancho Santa Margarita East Rancho Santa Margarita CA to surrounding ZIPs and local county safety benchmarks: traffic patterns, price per square foot, and community feel can differ block by block. Layer county and metro data to see how this pocket compares to nearby alternatives.
What should I check before buying here?
Before buying a home, walk the area at different times, confirm flood or HOA details, and validate crime and schools with primary sources. If you are asking “is this a good place to live,” combine this neighborhood guide with inspections, title review, and your must-have list—smart buyers weigh both the house and the block.