May 2026 Market Data •Redfin City-Limits Figures

Data collected for May 2026 (the most recent full month of closings), with year-over-year comparisons to May 2025. These are city-limits-only figures pulled from Redfin, not metro-wide MLS totals. Competitiveness and “typical time to pending” reflect Redfin’s trailing three-month Compete Score. This update covers the city of Orange, CA.

The Market at a Glance — May 2026

“Competition” reflects Redfin’s Compete Score — a 0–100 rating of how hard buyers compete for homes over the trailing three months, based on how many offers homes receive, how often they sell above asking, how quickly they go pending, and the sale-to-list ratio. “Very competitive” means multiple offers are common and homes regularly sell at or above list.

Prices and Pace

Orange is one of the standout performers in Northeast Orange County, pairing strong appreciation with intense competition. The median sale price jumped 11.0% year over year to $1,249,252 — among the largest gains in the area — as buyers are drawn to the city’s charming Old Towne historic district, its central location, and a deep range of neighborhoods from bungalows to hillside estates. With 234 closings, this is also one of the area’s most active markets.

The pace is quick and the pricing power is real. Homes went to pending in roughly 31 days, and the sale-to-list ratio was 100.6% — the typical home sold above its asking price. Rising values and over-list closings together signal demand comfortably outrunning supply.

Where the Leverage Sits

Buyers have little room here. At 46.2%, nearly half of homes sold above list — among the highest shares in the area — and with a fast 31-day pace, well-priced homes draw competing offers quickly. The roughly 21% of listings that cut price mark the openings: homes that overreached on their initial pricing and then adjusted. Outside of those, buyers should expect to compete.

Orange is remarkably varied — the walkable, historic charm of Old Towne, the family neighborhoods of the flatlands, and the larger homes of Orange Hills and Orange Park Acres each carry different price points and competitive dynamics. Anchor any offer to recent comparable sales within the specific neighborhood.

What This Means for Buyers

Orange demands preparation and speed. As a fast, very competitive market with strong appreciation and nearly half of homes selling over ask, this is a place where the best home rarely waits. Be fully underwritten before you shop, know your maximum, and be ready to write a compelling offer immediately. The realistic path to negotiating room is a listing that has lingered beyond the city’s brisk norm or already reduced — target those rather than counting on discounts on fresh inventory.

What This Means for Sellers

Orange sellers are in an excellent position: rising prices, homes selling above asking, a quick pace, and frequent multiple offers. The most effective strategy is to price at or just under the latest comparable sales to ignite competition, present the home beautifully — especially in the character-rich Old Towne and hillside areas — and let buyers bid. Even in a hot market, the one-in-five price-drop rate shows that overpricing at launch can stall momentum, so price to the market from day one.

Bottom Line

Orange enters summer 2026 as one of Northeast Orange County’s hottest markets — double-digit price gains, homes selling above asking, a fast pace, and frequent bidding wars, powered by its historic charm and central appeal. It strongly favors prepared, decisive buyers and well-priced sellers.

Data provided by Redfin (redfin.com). Figures are city-limits monthly data for May 2026; competitiveness and time-to-pending reflect Redfin’s trailing three-month Compete Score.