From Newport Beach and Corona del Mar to Laguna Beach, Dana Point and Huntington Beach, Coastal Orange County’s residential market remained resilient through the first eight months of 2026. While buyers have become more selective, limited coastal inventory, strong lifestyle demand and continued price appreciation in several premium communities continue to support the market.
Coastal Orange County at a Glance — August 2026
Market | Median Listing Price | Median Sold Price | Active Listings | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Newport Beach | $4.610M | $4.250M | 495 | $5,250 |
Corona del Mar | $5.846M | $3.600M | 81 | $12,000 |
Laguna Beach | $4.573M | $3.700M | 244 | $10,500 |
Dana Point | $2.488M | $1.785M | 155 | $6,795 |
Huntington Beach | $1.499M | $1.300M | 612 | $3,500 |
Source: Realtor.com August 2026 market data.
Newport Beach — Continued Appreciation
Newport Beach remained one of the strongest coastal markets. The August median listing price was $4.610 million, while the median sold price reached $4.25 million, up 32.81% year-over-year and 21.43% over three years.
Price per square foot was $1,588, up 3.19% YoY and 9.65% over three years. With 495 active listings and a 65-day median DOM, Newport Beach remained a balanced market with a 97% sale-to-list ratio. Zillow's July data placed Newport Beach's typical home value at $3,724,083, up 10.8% YoY, with average rent of $4,267, up 5.1%.
Corona del Mar — Scarcity Continues to Support Values
Corona del Mar continues to command a substantial premium. August's median listing price was $5.846 million, up 3.82% YoY and 10.50% over three years. Median sold price was $3.60 million, while price per square foot reached $2,359, up 6.77% YoY and 13.82% over three years.
Inventory remained constrained at 81 active listings, down 8.62% YoY. Median DOM was 73 days, and properties sold at approximately 99% of asking price. Rental demand also remains significant: median rent reached $12,000, up 24.68% YoY.
Laguna Beach — Strong Sales and Improving Liquidity
Laguna Beach posted a median listing price of $4.573 million and median sold price of $3.70 million, representing an 11.82% YoY increase in median sold prices and 17.93% growth over three years.
Active inventory stood at 244 homes, down 18.10% YoY, while median DOM fell sharply to 82 days, down 30.19%. Median rent reached $10,500, up 10.53% YoY and 23.53% over three years. Despite a 96% sale-to-list ratio, Laguna Beach remained classified as a buyer's market—creating opportunities for well-positioned buyers.
Dana Point — Strong Rental Momentum
Dana Point's August median listing price was $2.488 million, up 8.91% YoY, with a median sold price of $1.785 million.
Price per square foot reached $1,156, up 6%, while active inventory declined 16.16% YoY to 155 homes. Median DOM fell to 54 days, down 18.42% YoY. Rental demand was particularly notable, with median rent at $6,795, up 16.65% YoY and 7.01% over three years.
Huntington Beach — A Broader Coastal Entry Point
Huntington Beach remained comparatively accessible while maintaining coastal-market fundamentals. August's median listing price was $1.499 million, with a median sold price of $1.30 million. Price per square foot reached $811, up 0.43% YoY and 11.69% over three years. There were 612 active listings, up 1.10% YoY, and median DOM was 51 days.
In the premium 92648 ZIP code, the median listing price was $1.882 million, median sold price $1.649 million, up 9.93% YoY, with inventory down 7.25% and median DOM at 60 days.
What the Numbers Tell Us
Across Coastal Orange County, the market is increasingly defined by selectivity rather than weakness. Premium properties with exceptional locations, views, architecture, condition and lifestyle appeal continue to attract buyers, while properties that require pricing adjustments may remain on the market longer.
Orange County overall recorded an August median listing price of $1.3495 million, down 3.78% YoY, while the median sold price was $1.245 million, up 5.51% YoY. Inventory increased 0.22% YoY, while homes sold in a median 48 days with a 99% sale-to-list ratio.
Nationally, July existing-home sales were 4.06 million annualized, down 1.7% month-over-month but slightly above the prior year. The national median existing-home price was $431,400, with 4.6 months of inventory.
The Investment Perspective
For investors and long-term homeowners, the January–August 2026 numbers reinforce an important point: coastal Orange County real estate is not simply a housing purchase—it is an allocation of capital into scarce coastal land, lifestyle, rental demand and long-term ownership.
Newport Beach and Corona del Mar remain particularly compelling for buyers seeking prestige and scarcity; Laguna Beach offers architectural and oceanfront distinction; Dana Point provides a compelling combination of coastal lifestyle and rental growth; and Huntington Beach offers a lower entry point into the coastal Orange County market.
The opportunity is not necessarily to buy the most expensive property—it is to identify the right property, in the right location, at the right price, for the right long-term strategy.
Sam Fajana | Coldwell Banker New Century
Coastal Orange County requires more than simply reading a market statistic. It requires understanding neighborhoods, property types, lifestyle demand, rental economics, pricing strategy and the unique characteristics that influence long-term value.
Whether you're considering your first coastal investment, acquiring your next luxury residence, relocating to Orange County, or preparing to sell, I can help you evaluate the opportunity with local market knowledge and a strategic, long-term perspective.
