Lake Forest, CA Cost of Living


16 Reviews



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How much do I need to live in Lake Forest, California?
$14,970 / month
for a family, 177.2% more expensive than the national average A total of $179,640 for the year for a family.
$7,900 / month
for a single person, 65.7% more expensive than the national average A total of $94,800 for the year for a single person.

Lake Forest cost of living score
164.9
More expensive
64.9% higher
than the US average
10.0% higher
than the California average
Lake Forest, California gets a BestPlaces Cost of Living score of 164.9, which means the total cost of housing, food, childcare, transportation, healthcare, taxes, and other necessities is 64.9% higher than the U.S. average and 10.0% lower than the average for California.

Lake Forest, CA

Housing costs in Lake Forest?
A typical home costs $937,500, which is 177.3% more expensive than the national average of $338,100 and 27.8% more expensive than the average California home, at $733,500. Renting a two-bedroom unit in Lake Forest costs $2,850 per month, which is 99.3% more than the national average of $1,430 and 24.6% more than the state average of $2,150.

Can I afford Lake Forest?
To live comfortably in Lake Forest, California, a minimum annual income of $179,640 for a family, and $94,800 for a single person is recommended.

What does A.I. say about Lake Forest?
Lake Forest offers an interesting option for costlier living situated somewhere within California’s Orange County boasting plenty of features without too heavily impacting wallets. Median housing values come in around the high-$1000s and renting usually lands near by approximately 5 thousand dollars generally - both noticeably higher compared to shore line places like Tustin or La Habra Heights located significantly further up southeastward. Grocery stores equally hover just below US averages due largely to local taxes & regulations while sales tax totals out constant at no less than 9%.
   Cost of living score
       Higher than 100 is more expensive than the national average.
       Lower than 100 is less expensive.
     CategoriesLake ForestCaliforniaUnited States
  164.9149.9100.0
  103.6105.1100
  93.498.3100.0
  300.0234.8100.0
  $937,500$733,500$338,100
  101.6102.4100
  111.6133.1100.0
  155.9118.7100.0

   100=National Average

   Average Rent by Bedroom Size
Reviews for Lake Forest
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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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