2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Lake Forest, CA vs Santa Ynez, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Santa Ynez older or younger than people in Lake Forest?
- The Median Age in Santa Ynez is 10.0 years older than in Lake Forest.

Are housing costs cheaper in Santa Ynez or Lake Forest?
- Santa Ynez housing costs are 57.0% more expensive than Lake Forest housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Santa Ynez or Lake Forest?
- The average commute for residents of Santa Ynez is 6.6 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Lake Forest.

Things to do in Lake Forest?
Lake Forest, California markets itself as the ultimate Southern California lifestyle with numerous parks, shopping centers, and miles of trails giving visitors plenty of options for an active lifestyle.

Things to do in Santa Ynez?
Living in Santa Ynez, CA offers a unique combination of beauty, convenience, and affordability. With its rolling hills and vineyards in the backdrop, Santa Ynez is the perfect place to experience California's stunning landscapes. Residents enjoy easy access to nearby amenities including shopping centers and restaurants, while still being able to enjoy a sense of calm away from the hustle and bustle of city living. The cost of living is also relatively low for California standards making it an ideal home for those looking for an affordable lifestyle that doesn't sacrifice comfort or quality. All in all, Santa Ynez is an excellent town to call home!

 Lake Forest, CASanta Ynez, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock4,679329,725,481
 Median Income$117,374  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock50.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$937,500  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock6.6%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time26  Unlock26.38
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

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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

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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

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Reviews for Santa Ynez    0 Reviews

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