Many of you may have wondered, 'What about Fullerton?' while looking for a home in Orange County.

Adjacent to Anaheim, home to Disneyland, Fullerton is a city with a slightly different character. With a mix of universities, a young population, and residential density, the median household income in this city is approximately $78,000 according to the Census ACS 2023. This is nearly identical to the national median of $78,538.

No discussion of Fullerton would be complete without mentioning Cal State Fullerton (CSUF). This large public university, with over 40,000 students, is located right in the heart of the city, influencing income statistics. The presence of student households with low or no income pulls the median income down. Excluding the student population, the actual working income level in Fullerton may be higher than $78,000. This is a classic illusion in college town statistics.

You might be concerned. With an income similar to the national average, can one live on $78,000 in Orange County? To be honest, it's not easy. The median price of single-family homes in Fullerton is currently estimated to be between $700,000 and $800,000. The ratio of home prices to income is around 9 to 10 times. While this is considered overloaded nationally, it is a familiar reality in Orange County. It is realistic to purchase a home only if two people combine their incomes or have significant initial capital.

The main employers in Fullerton include healthcare, education, retail, and service industries. CSUF itself is a major employer, and medical institutions like St. Jude Medical Center provide stable jobs. Additionally, Fullerton's central location in Orange County serves as a commuting hub to surrounding industrial areas like Anaheim, Irvine, and Garden Grove. This commuting income helps support the average of $78,000.

Looking at the rental market, the rent for a one-bedroom in Fullerton is currently around $2,000 to $2,400. With high student demand, there is a relatively abundant supply of studios and small units. However, there is significant demand for 2 to 3-bedroom rentals for family units, and the costs in this category can be quite burdensome. If a household earning $78,000 spends more than $2,500 a month on rent, their financial flexibility will be severely limited.

Still, Fullerton has its appeal. The relatively diverse food culture in Orange County, reasonable (relatively) housing costs, the vibrant atmosphere typical of college towns, and good transportation connectivity are reasons to choose Fullerton. Especially for young professionals who are not yet able to purchase a home, starting with renting is not a bad option.

Fullerton also has accessibility to the Korean community. It is about a 30-minute drive from LA's Koreatown and close to Garden Grove's Koreatown. This is one of the practical reasons why Korean immigrant families consider Fullerton as a living option. For households earning the same income as the national average of $78,000, it is worth seriously considering the living accessibility of this location within Orange County.

If you are planning to live in Fullerton, it is important to first understand the actual income distribution in your profession, taking into account the student effect. While $78,000 is the national average, in the context of Orange County, it is at a lower-middle level. A realistic plan is needed to bridge this gap, and if you can create that plan, Fullerton can be a very good choice.