2026 Compare Cities Education:
Lake Forest, CA vs Carefree, AZ

Change Cities
Highlights
- Carefree spends 30.9% less per student than Lake Forest.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 21.4% lower in Carefree than in Lake Forest. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Carefree had 7.5% more residents who had graduated High School compared to Lake Forest
 Lake Forest, CACarefree, AZUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$10,564$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$12,911  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$4,810$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio23.21  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock23484573
 Students per Counselor595  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock0.0%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.3.6%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock99.9%88.9%
 Some College Educ.20.5%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock7.4%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.48.7%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock16.0%9.3%
 Professional Degree2.7%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock2.2%1.5%
Reviews for Lake Forest    16 Reviews

I've lived in Lake Forest for over a decade, before that elsewhere in OC and also up in LA. Lake Forest isn't perfect but it's really improved over the past decade,  More

   |    Reply

As a retired senior who has lived in Lake Forest (formerly El Toro) since 1977 I think LF is a great place if you can afford it. When we moved here in June '77 homes  More

   |    Reply

I’ve lived here for 2 years. Ok, it’s more like a 4 but there are so many idiots downplaying what it’s like here and giving Lake Forest ones and twos. There are a lot of  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Lake Forest

Reviews for Carefree    4 Reviews

Carefree is not the laid back community it once was. It’s inundated with bikers because of the town of Cave Creek, which is a haven for Bikers and “Forever Trump” cult  More

   |    Reply

Over 10 years ago

Delightful from Mid-Oct thru Mid-May. Very hot in summer but the dryness does allow for more activities than a humid climate does. I can testify to that, having lived in  More

   |    Reply

Over 17 years ago

Life in Carefree is definitely free and easy. Part Cowboy and part resort there is peace and quiet all around. If you love the old west than you are in the heart of it  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Carefree


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.