2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA vs Lake Forest, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Lake Forest older or younger than people in Rancho Santa Margarita?
- The Median Age in Lake Forest is 0.4 years older than in Rancho Santa Margarita.

Are housing costs cheaper in Lake Forest or Rancho Santa Margarita?
- Lake Forest housing costs are 8.6% more expensive than Rancho Santa Margarita housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Lake Forest or Rancho Santa Margarita?
- The average commute for residents of Lake Forest is 4.1 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Rancho Santa Margarita.

Things to do in Rancho Santa Margarita?
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA resides within Orange County’s metropolitan limits providing direct access attractions events that take place surrounding area due its prime location as well population size close 48 thousand people makes perfect spot anyone looking exciting city life without having live too far from Los Angeles other Southern California cities!

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.

 Rancho Santa Margarita, CALake Forest, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock85,516329,725,481
 Median Income$135,350  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock40.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$863,100  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.6%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time30.09  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Rancho Santa Margarita    13 Reviews

This page provides little information on RSM. I see they keep describing the area as "outside of Los Angeles." Culturally, it is so far from Los Angeles (I lived in LA,  More

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Over 10 years ago

The weather here is amazing. We get a few hot days in the summer but it cools down in the evening. I love being able to sleep with the windows  More

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This is the best place to live in South Orange County with mild temperatures, low crime, great schools and family orientated. RSM is a city that sits in a pocket backing  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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