Salary & Cost of Living in Orange, CA
Orange, CA: $64,663 median salary, cost of living index 149.6, $16.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$64,663
$31/hr
Cost of Living
149.6
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$16.00
per hour
Unemployment
4.2%
rate
Orange, CA Overview
Population
139,911
Median Salary
$64,663
Average Salary
$72,423
Avg Commute
22 min
Median Home Price
$860,000
Median Rent
$3,510/mo
Job Growth
+1.7%
Sales Tax
7.25%
Orange is located in California with a population of 139,911. The median household salary is $64,663 per year ($31/hour), which is $5,279 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 22 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.7%.
Orange Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Orange, CA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $64,663 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $40,091 | $19.28/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $64,663 | $31.09/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $91,821 | $44.15/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $115,100 | $55.34/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Orange Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Orange, CA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$47,863
$3,988.56/month · $1,840.88/biweekly · Effective Rate: 26.0%
Gross Pay
$64,663
Federal Tax
-$5,840
State Tax
-$6,014
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,947
Net Pay
$47,863
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,388.58 | $64,663.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$486.66 | -$5,839.86 |
| California State Tax (9.3%) | -$501.14 | -$6,013.66 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$334.09 | -$4,009.11 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$78.13 | -$937.61 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,988.56 | $47,862.76 |
Salary Comparison: Orange vs Other Cities
See how Orange's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange, CA | $64,663 | 149.6 | $43,224 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| West Springfield, VA | $64,674 | 105.1 | $61,536 |
| Franklin, MA | $64,675 | 128.2 | $50,449 |
| Fort Lee, NJ | $64,605 | 110.9 | $58,255 |
| Bay Ridge, NY | $64,576 | 132.9 | $48,590 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Orange
Orange's cost of living index is 149.6 (national average = 100). Living in Orange is 49.599999999999994% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$860,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,510
Annual Rent Cost
$42,120
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $47,863 annual take-home pay in Orange has the purchasing power of approximately $31,994 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $96,736 in Orange to match a $64,663 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Orange
Orange's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $64,663.
Salary Tips for Orange Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Orange has a cost of living 49.599999999999994% above the national average. When negotiating salary, factor in the higher housing and living costs to ensure your real purchasing power stays competitive.
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a 9.3% state income tax rate, maximizing 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026) and HSA contributions can significantly reduce both your federal and state tax burden.
- Research top industries. Orange's top industries include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $64,663 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Orange salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Orange-CA metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Orange indexed at 149.6.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Orange's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $64,663 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects California state income tax (9.3%) (no local income tax), sales tax (7.25%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Orange: 4.2%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.7% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for California.
- Housing context: median home price $860,000, median rent $3,510/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Orange, CA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Orange unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Orange QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — California — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Orange's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent California labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Orange, CA?
The median salary in Orange, CA is $64,663 per year, or $31 per hour. The average salary is $72,423. This is $5,279 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Orange, CA?
Orange's cost of living index is 149.6 (national average = 100), meaning it is 49.599999999999994% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $860,000 and the median monthly rent is $3,510.
What are the best industries in Orange?
The top industries in Orange, CA include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. The city has a job growth rate of 1.7% and an unemployment rate of 4.2%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $64,663.
How does Orange's salary compare to other cities?
Orange's median salary of $64,663 is 8.9% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 149.6), the real purchasing power is approximately $43,224.
What is the minimum wage in Orange, CA?
The minimum wage in Orange, CA is $16.00 per hour. This equals approximately $33,280 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $8.75 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.