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City Report · CA

Lake Forest

Pop. 86,281·100th most expensive in California·Lake Forest rents are up 11.9% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$3,337/mo
Year-over-Year
+11.9%
Month-over-Month
+1.1%
vs US Median
+$1,375
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Lake Forest · $3,337
More expensive than 94% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
49/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Lake Forest's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$3,337/mo
Expected by trend
$3,322/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Lake Forest's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,675
1 BR
$2,795
2 BR
$3,305
3 BR
$4,470
4 BR+
$5,345
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$3,305/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,337 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$40,044/yr
At $3,337/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 11.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+11.9% YoY, +1.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Lake Forest, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 50.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
86,281
Median income
$135,175
Median age
40.2
Renters
29.5%
Age distribution
21.3%
20.6%
30.3%
13%
14.8%
Under 1821.3%
18–3420.6%
35–5430.3%
55–6413%
65+14.8%
Gender
50.2%
49.8%
Male50.2%
Female49.8%
Race & ethnicity
48.2%
27%
20%
White48.2%
Black2.5%
Hispanic27%
Asian20%
Other2.4%
Education (25+)
15.7%
27.5%
50.8%
No HS diploma6%
HS diploma15.7%
Some college27.5%
Bachelor's+50.8%
Housing tenure
70.5%
29.5%
Owner70.5%
Renter29.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Lake Forest, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,283 → $3,337
up 46.2%
Income
$117,374 → $135,175
up 15.2%
Population
85,516 → 86,281
up 0.9%
Renter share
29.4% → 29.5%
+0.1 pts
Bachelor's+
48.7% → 50.8%
+2.1 pts

Compared with 2021, rent in Lake Forest, CA has increased by $1,054 per month, settling near $3,337 after starting the period at $2,283. On the earnings side, the typical household in Lake Forest, CA now reports about $135,175, up from $117,374 in 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 31.0 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 48.7% to 50.8%. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Lake Forest, CA reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

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View Lake Forest rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Lake Forest on your salary?

At $3,337/mo, how Lake Forest rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Lake Forest rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Lake Forest. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Lake Forest

About renting in Lake Forest, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Lake Forest is $3,337/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,675/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,305/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,795/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,470/mo.

At 30% of local median household income ($135,175/yr), Lake Forest ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 11.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Lake Forest an affordable city for renters?

Lake Forest is considered moderate for renters. At $3,337/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($135,175/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Lake Forest slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Lake Forest?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $133,000/year (~$64/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,337/mo in Lake Forest. The local median household income is $135,175/yr, meaning the typical Lake Forest household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Lake Forest?

Rent in Lake Forest has increased 11.9% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Lake Forest neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Lake Forest are 92610 ($3,293/mo), and 92630 ($3,312/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Lake Forest is $3,337/mo.

How does Lake Forest rent compare to other cities in California?

Lake Forest is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #100 out of 381 tracked cities at $3,337/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Lake Forest?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Lake Forest ($3,337/mo): Laguna Woods ($2,840/mo), Rancho Santa Margarita ($2,912/mo), Laguna Hills ($3,018/mo).

What percentage of Lake Forest residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 29.5% of Lake Forest households are renters, while 70.5% are owner-occupied. Lake Forest leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Lake Forest rent compare to the national average?

Lake Forest's median rent of $3,337/mo is $1,375 (70%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #100 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $3,337/mo, rent takes ~30% of Lake Forest's median household income ($135,175/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Lake Forest 30%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Lake Forest affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Lake Forest
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Lake Forest, CA

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