City Guide
Lake Forest, CA
Overview
Lake Forest, CA, is known for its nature and outdoor recreation. Bordered by Modjeska Canyon and Trabuco Canyon, Lake Forest is home to around 86,000. A fun fact about the city is that both lakes in Lake Forest are man-made. Another is that the Etnies Skatepark is the largest staffed skateboard park in North America.
What’s it like to live in Lake Forest, CA ?
If you're looking to buy a home for sale in Lake Forest, CA you'll find that the median sale price is
$1,169,500
and homes stay on the market for 27 days. You'll find that the median sale prices of
a single family home and a condo/co-op in Lake Forest are $1,466,000
and $680,000
, respectively. Lake Forest area townhouses have a median sale price of $804,500
, making them less expensive
than single family homes. If you’re not ready to buy a home, consider one of the many apartments for rent in Lake Forest, CAExplore our Lake Forest housing market page for insights about how home values have changed over
the years and how Lake Forest home prices compare to other markets. Explore our Lake Forest rental market trends page for insights about how rental prices have changed and how Lake Forest rental prices compare to other rental markets. If you're curious about the most valuable home features in Lake Forest, or looking for a new home improvement project,
discover what home features and design trends may help increase your home's value.
Popular neighborhoods in and around Lake Forest
| Neighborhood | Median Sale Price | Compete Score | Walk Score | Real Estate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Park | $1,592,500 | 62 / 100 | 2 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
| Irvine Spectrum | $2,590,000 | -- | 65 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
| Baker Ranch | $1,466,000 | 71 / 100 | 35 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
| Portola Springs | $1,770,000 | 66 / 100 | 6 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
| Laguna Woods Village | $499,000 | 59 / 100 | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
Popular homes for sale in Lake Forest
See all homes for sale
Rental listings in Lake Forest
See how much rent you can affordSee all rental listings
What is the cost of living in Lake Forest?
The cost of living in Lake Forest is 56% higher than the national average. Housing is typically the largest expense for most American households. In Lake Forest, the average monthly rent is $3,118, while the median home price is $923,500. Overall, housing in Lake Forest is 114% higher than the national average. Groceries, like produce, dry goods, and other essential household items, cost 10% higher in Lake Forest. Though healthcare costs 7% lower in Lake Forest compared to the national average, costs vary greatly by location, person, personal health, and health insurance. In Lake Forest, an optometry check-up costs around $155.63, while a dentist appointment is $113.83 on average. Learn more about the cost of living in Lake Forest. Discover how utilities, transportation, and lifestyle, compares against the national average.
Compared to the national average
56%
Cost of living
114%
Home prices
Cost of living calculator
Compare cities across the U.S.
Lake Forest Migration & Relocation Trends
In Jan '25 - Mar '25, 22% of Lake Forest homebuyers searched to move out of Lake Forest, while 78% looked to stay within the metropolitan area.
- Across the nation, 4% of homebuyers searched to move into Lake Forest from outside metros.
- San Francisco homebuyers searched to move into Lake Forest more than any other metro followed by Houston and Seattle.
Where are people moving to Lake Forest from?
- 78% of Lake Forest homebuyers searched to stay within the Lake Forest metropolitan area.
- Las Vegas was the most popular destination among Lake Forest homebuyers followed by San Diego and Bakersfield.
Where are people from Lake Forest moving to?
Number of People Moving to Lake Forest
least
most
People are moving to Lake Forest from
| Inbound | Net inflow | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Metros | Jan '25 - Mar '25 | ||
| 1 | 2,235 | ||
| 2 | 815 | ||
| 3 | 400 | ||
| 4 | 43 | ||
| 5 | 11 | ||
| 6 | 5 | ||
| 7 | 4 | ||
| 8 | 3 | ||
| 9 | 2 | ||
| 10 | 2 | ||
People are leaving Lake Forest for
| Outbound | Net outflow | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Metros | Jan '25 - Mar '25 | ||
| 1 | 6,438 | ||
| 2 | 5,956 | ||
| 3 | 3,874 | ||
| 4 | 3,788 | ||
| 5 | 2,674 | ||
| 6 | 2,134 | ||
| 7 | 1,975 | ||
| 8 | 1,897 | ||
| 9 | 1,768 | ||
| 10 | 1,486 | ||
Methodology
This data does not reflect actual moves. The latest migration analysis is based on a sample of about two
million Redfin.com users who searched for homes across more than 100 metro areas. To be included in this dataset, a Redfin.com user
must have viewed at least 10 homes in a three month period. This dataset excludes all rentals data.
What is there to do in Lake Forest, CA ?
There are a lot of great activities to do in Lake Forest, CA from enjoying local art, dining at some of the top restaurants in town, or spending time at a park. You'll find plenty of interesting landmarks in Lake Forest like the Heritage Hills Historical Park and Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens. The city is also known for its parks and green spaces like Lake Forest Sports Park, Pittsford Park, and Baker Ranch Community Park, to name a few. For a quick taste of the city, stop by Bru Grill & Market, Fam's Kitchen, or Biagio's Italian Restaurant.
Explore some of the best things to do in Lake Forest
What's the best way to get around Lake Forest, CA ?
The best way to get around Lake Forest is by car, but there are many methods for getting around the city. If you’re exploring the city by foot, Lake Forest has a walk score of 41, meaning this area is car dependent. You can also get around Lake Forest by bike. With a bike score of 46, there is a minimal amount of infrastructure for biking.
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
Lake Forest Transportation
Bus Station
Buses can be found throughout the city and are easily accessible to commute in the city.
Rail Station
Our data indicates this city does not have this transportation type.
Tram Station
Our data indicates this city does not have this transportation type.
Metro Station
Our data indicates this city does not have this transportation type.
Car & Bike Rentals
Renting a car is another good way to get around the city. There are 11 car rental locations.
Real Estate Tools & Resources
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