2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Charlottesville, VA vs Lake Forest, IL

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Lake Forest or is it cheaper to live in Charlottesville?
- Lake Forest is 7.8% less expensive than Charlottesville.

Which city has more affordable housing, Lake Forest or Charlottesville?
- Lake Forest housing costs are 108.5% more expensive than Charlottesville housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Charlottesville or is Health Care more affordable in Lake Forest.
- Health related expenses are 9.5% less in Lake Forest.
 Charlottesville, VALake Forest, ILUnited States
 Overall  Unlock97.0100
 Food & Groceries101.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock96.3100
 Housing136.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$898,600$338,100
 Utilities100  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock93.7100
 Miscellaneous142.2  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Charlottesville    44 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

I have lived in Charlottesville, Albemarle County for 25 years. It USED to be a decent place but in the past 10 years has gone downhill. Rent is TOO high, landlords are  More

   |    Reply

Over 4 years ago

Loved here for 7 years, lots of parks and close proximity to Shenandoah, but that’s where the positives end. High cost of living with extreme income inequality,  More

   |    Reply

Over 4 years ago

Charlottesville resident for 7 years. Plenty of parks, the Rivanna River and trail, and a short drive to Shenandoah National Park means plenty of opportunities for  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Charlottesville

Reviews for Lake Forest    4 Reviews

We relocated cross county to Lake Forest about a year ago due to a job change. We looked at nearby communities, within proximity of the work commute (the office is in  More

   |    Reply

Be prepared for a so called upscale town with entitled, overpaid, snooty people from teenagers who sneer at you to adults who look you up and down, who make demands on a  More

   |    Reply

Over 15 years ago

Long cold winters, short cold springs, hot humid summers, nice  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Lake Forest


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.