Cost of Living in Lake Forest, California
Lake Forest has a population of about 86,281. The median household income is $135,175, median gross rent is $2,672/month, and the median home value is $937,000. These figures come from 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates, the latest full-coverage Census baseline for U.S. cities.
How current is this? Census city data is released with a lag because it is survey-based and designed for consistent coverage across small and large places. Use it as an official affordability baseline; current apartment listings and mortgage rates may differ.
Is Lake Forest expensive to live in?
Compared with the national median in this dataset, rent in Lake Forest is 61% above the national median and home values are 150% above the national median. Household income here is 61% above the national median. Monthly rent represents roughly 24% of the median annual household income, a rough affordability signal for renters.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Lake Forest?
The median gross rent in Lake Forest, California is $2,672 per month in the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates.
What is the median home price in Lake Forest?
The median owner-occupied home value in Lake Forest is $937,000 in the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates.
How much do people earn in Lake Forest?
The median household income in Lake Forest is $135,175 per year in the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates.
Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates. Local database last refreshed 2026-07-11.