2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Phoenix, AZ vs Lake Forest, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Lake Forest or is it cheaper to live in Phoenix?
- Lake Forest is 45.9% more expensive than Phoenix.

Which city has more affordable housing, Lake Forest or Phoenix?
- Lake Forest housing costs are 153.0% more expensive than Phoenix housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Phoenix or is Health Care more affordable in Lake Forest.
- Health related expenses are 1.0% more in Lake Forest.
 Phoenix, AZLake Forest, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock164.9100
 Food & Groceries97.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock93.4100
 Housing118.6  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$937,500$338,100
 Utilities102  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock111.6100
 Miscellaneous105.7  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 Phoenix    449 Reviews

Over 1 years ago

As someone that has worked in Phoenix for close to 20 years now. There is great areas to eat at, great opportunities for premium small businesses to set up shop and even  More

   |    Reply

Over 1 years ago

Phoenix is a city of potential and definitely has a bad reputation that is not completely deserved all throughout the city itself. There is tons of things to do, places  More

   |    Reply

Phoenix has tons of the best places to shop and eat at bar none due to it being the big city. Downtown is definitely underrated. There also is some nice new developments  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Phoenix

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


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.