2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Lake Forest, IL vs Poway, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Poway or is it cheaper to live in Lake Forest?
- Poway is 59.7% more expensive than Lake Forest.

Which city has more affordable housing, Poway or Lake Forest?
- Poway housing costs are 12.4% more expensive than Lake Forest housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Lake Forest or is Health Care more affordable in Poway.
- Health related expenses are 7.6% less in Poway.
 Lake Forest, ILPoway, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.9100
 Food & Groceries108.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock89.0100
 Housing285.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,000,800$338,100
 Utilities94  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock121.4100
 Miscellaneous141.0  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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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

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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

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Over 16 years ago

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

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Reviews for Poway    10 Reviews

Over 5 years ago

Poway is a great place to live. People are friendly, neighbors watch out for each other. Great trails, beautiful views. Love to hear the birds. Family oriented. Yes  More

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Over 6 years ago

Moved here 37 years ago and love the birds singing in the morning, minimal traffic noise, and convenience to Carmel Mountain Ranch for shopping. Easy access to the  More

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I've lived here for 30 years. Back 30 years ago it was great. Small town, friendly people, etc. NOW Traffic is pretty bad but still better than most of SD county. I'm  More

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