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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Lake Forest or is it cheaper to live in Poway?
- Lake Forest is 6.5% more expensive than Poway.

Which city has more affordable housing, Lake Forest or Poway?
- Lake Forest housing costs are 6.5% less expensive than Poway housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Poway or is Health Care more affordable in Lake Forest.
- Health related expenses are 4.9% more in Lake Forest.
 Poway, CALake Forest, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock164.9100
 Food & Groceries111.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock93.4100
 Housing320.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$937,500$338,100
 Utilities115  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock111.6100
 Miscellaneous153.5  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Poway    10 Reviews

Over 4 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 5 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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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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