Coastal OC Market Round-Up – October 2026: Laguna, Newport & Dana Point

TL;DR

• Orange County's median sale price was $1,480,000 in September 2026, up 5.6% from a year earlier, according to C.A.R.
• Newport Beach's median was $3,850,000 in August 2026, and homes took a median of 63 days to sell, per Redfin.
• Laguna Beach's median was $3,285,935 in September 2026, and the median time to sell fell by 32 days from a year earlier, per Redfin.
• Dana Point's median was $2,099,000 for the three months ending September 2026, with 113 homes sold in September, per Redfin.
• Medians describe the middle of a market, not the value of any one home, so a pricing opinion on your specific property still matters.

Lionel "LP" Franklin of Franklin Real Estate Group at Keller Williams Realty Irvine helps buyers and sellers across Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Dana Point and the rest of Orange County, California. This round-up pulls together the latest published figures for the three coastal markets so you can see where each one stands heading into the end of 2026.

What do the three coastal markets look like right now?

All three cities sit well above the countywide median, and all three show higher prices than a year ago. The pace of sales differs from city to city, though, which is why it helps to look at each one separately.

How much did Orange County's median price change in September 2026?

The California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) reported an Orange County median price of $1,480,000 for September 2026. That is up 1.9% from $1,452,500 in August and up 5.6% from $1,401,250 in September 2025. County sales were down 2.0% from a year earlier.

How do the three coastal medians compare to each other?

Using Redfin's published figures, Newport Beach is at $3,850,000 (August 2026), Laguna Beach at $3,285,935 (September 2026) and Dana Point at $2,099,000 (three months ending September 2026). Because the periods differ slightly, treat the comparison as a rough guide rather than an exact ranking.

What is happening in Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and Dana Point?

Each market has its own mix of price level, sales volume and time on market. Here is what the latest Redfin data shows for each city.

How long do Newport Beach homes take to sell?

Redfin's Newport Beach page shows a median of 63 days on market for August 2026, up 6 days from a year earlier. The median sale price was $3,850,000, up 13.2% year over year, and 277 homes sold, down 1.8%. Prices rose while sales volume held roughly steady and homes took a little longer to sell.

Are Laguna Beach homes selling faster than last year?

Yes, according to Redfin. Laguna Beach's median days on market was 71 in September 2026, down 32 days from a year earlier. The median sale price was $3,285,935, up 17.4%, and 89 homes sold, up 6.4%. Even with the faster pace, 71 days is still longer than the other two cities.

How many Dana Point homes sold in September 2026?

Redfin reports 113 Dana Point sales in September 2026, up 2.5% from a year earlier. Median days on market was 47, down 17 days. The $2,099,000 median reflects the three months ending in September, so it moves more slowly than a single-month figure.

How should you read these numbers before you buy or sell?

Treat every median as a starting point. It tells you where the middle of the market sits, but your home's value depends on its location, condition, lot, view, age and what has recently sold nearby.

Why do medians from different sources differ?

C.A.R. and Redfin use different data sets, geographies and time windows, so their numbers will not match. This article names the source and period for every figure for that reason, and it avoids blending them into a single number.

Does a rising median mean every home is worth more?

No. A median can rise because a larger share of higher-priced homes sold in that period, not only because individual prices went up. A comparative market analysis of your specific property is the more reliable way to understand value.

How do the three markets compare side by side?

This table compares market factors only, using the most recent Redfin figures available for each city.

Why does this matter for your next move in coastal Orange County?

Price direction and time on market shape negotiating room on both sides of a transaction. Where homes are taking longer to sell, buyers may have more time to compare options and ask for terms. Where median days on market are falling, sellers may see activity sooner, but pricing still needs to match what recent comparable sales support. The numbers above give you a framework for those conversations, and your own property or search criteria fill in the rest.

Who is this for?

• A transaction where you are weighing a sale against waiting, and want current coastal price and time-on-market context.
• A purchase search that spans more than one coastal city and needs a side-by-side view of market factors.
• A pricing decision for a coastal home where you want to understand how your area compares to the others.
• A move from inland Orange County toward the coast, where you want to see how the coastal medians compare to the county as a whole.

Related Resources

• Newport Beach real estate
• Orange County communities
• Buying a home in Orange County

Other questions buyers ask

• How does Orange County's median price compare to the rest of Southern California?
• What does a price per square foot look like in coastal markets?
• How do I compare homes with different lot sizes and views?
• What closing costs should I plan for on a higher-priced purchase?
• How long should I expect an escrow to take?
• What should I look for in a comparative market analysis?

Want a clearer read on your coastal market?

If you are thinking about buying or selling, start with the Newport Beach real estate page or book a time with LP to talk through your situation.

About the author

Lionel "LP" Franklin, REALTOR®, is team leader of Franklin Real Estate Group at Keller Williams Realty Irvine (DRE #01730363). Licensed since 2005, he works with buyers and sellers across Orange County, California. Call 714-580-1047.

Sources: California Association of REALTORS®, September 2026 Home Sales and Price Report (released October 19, 2026); Redfin housing market pages for Newport Beach (August 2026), Laguna Beach and Dana Point (September 2026).