2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Ridgecrest, CA vs Lake Forest, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Lake Forest older or younger than people in Ridgecrest?
- The Median Age in Lake Forest is 3.5 years older than in Ridgecrest.

Are housing costs cheaper in Lake Forest or Ridgecrest?
- Lake Forest housing costs are 281.7% more expensive than Ridgecrest housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Lake Forest or Ridgecrest?
- The average commute for residents of Lake Forest is 2.6 minutes longer than it is for residents of Ridgecrest.

Things to do in Ridgecrest?
Located in the Indian Wells Valley of the Mojave Desert, Ridgecrest is a city in Kern County known for its rich cultural and recreational activities. With a population of over 27,000, this growing city offers attractions such as the desert landscape and nearby mountains, along with local events and recreation opportunities.

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.

 Ridgecrest, CALake Forest, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock85,516329,725,481
 Median Income$77,534  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock40.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$245,600  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.6%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time23.43  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Ridgecrest    7 Reviews

For context, I grew up in Ridgecrest and moved away after graduating high school. I have since lived in LA and the Bay Area but I visit RC often. RC is in the high  More

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Ridgecrest and Kern County are red state bastions in a land of blue voting counties. If you want a concealed weapons permit, you'll get it. Want to own any firearm  More

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Over 13 years ago

The hardest thing to get used to in Ridgecrest is the weather. It can get quite windy. And hot. 115 hot. But it's a dry heat! It does cool off in the evening, and it  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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