2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Rosa, CA vs Lake Forest, IL

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Highlights
Are people in Lake Forest older or younger than people in Santa Rosa?
- The Median Age in Lake Forest is 6.4 years older than in Santa Rosa.

Are housing costs cheaper in Lake Forest or Santa Rosa?
- Lake Forest housing costs are 34.7% more expensive than Santa Rosa housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Lake Forest or Santa Rosa?
- The average commute for residents of Lake Forest is 8.6 minutes longer than it is for residents of Santa Rosa.

Things to do in Santa Rosa?
Santa Rosa, California is situated in the heart of Sonoma County and is known for its laid-back atmosphere and charming downtown area. The city has a vibrant arts community with galleries, studios, and theaters, as well as many wineries throughout the region that offer tours. Outdoor activities abound in the area, such as biking trails, golf courses, and hiking paths to explore. The city also houses a number of restaurants that serve up delicious local dishes. With its stunning scenery and array of activities to enjoy, Santa Rosa is an ideal destination for anyone looking to get away from it all!

Things to do in Lake Forest?
Lake Forest, Illinois is a vibrant city located in Lake County. With its many shops and restaurants, it’s the perfect destination for those seeking an enjoyable night out or a fun day of shopping. For outdoor fans, Lake Forest offers beautiful parks and trails, plus beaches along the shore of Lake Michigan. Families looking to move to the area can rest assured that there are multiple schools with outstanding educational programs. Lake Forest has something to offer everyone — whether you’re a nature lover or just looking for a great place to live.

 Santa Rosa, CALake Forest, ILUnited States
 Population  Unlock19,450329,725,481
 Median Income$84,823  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock46.438.4
 Avg. Home Price$666,900  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock6.4%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time22.59  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Santa Rosa    43 Reviews

I was born and raised here. Santa Rosa used to be a great city great location great weather but now it is overcrowded and crime is off the charts and housing is crazy  More

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I've lived her over 20 years and it's a pretty nice place. The main vibe is you feel safe doing this day or night. Most of the neighborhoods are well taken care of, they  More

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Terrible city that's hurting for money. After going on a long hiatus from enforcing traffic laws, they've recently turned their highways into an ATM machine/cash cow by  More

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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 15 years ago

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

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