1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Lake Forest, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Lake Forest, California as of July 2026. That's +15% lower than the citywide median of $3,299 and +100% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Lake Forest
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Lake Forest
Compare Lake Forest's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $974 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 2 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $3,710 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Lake Forest.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Lake Forest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laguna Woods, CA | 5.3 mi | $2,260 | $-535 (-19%) |
| Laguna Hills, CA | 5.6 mi | $2,720 | $-75 (-3%) |
| Rancho Santa Margarita, CA | 5.9 mi | $2,750 | $-45 (-2%) |
| Coto de Caza, CA | 6.9 mi | $3,200 | +$405 (+14%) |
| Irvine, CA | 7.3 mi | $3,131 | +$336 (+12%) |
| Aliso Viejo, CA | 7.4 mi | $2,890 | +$95 (+3%) |
| Ladera Ranch, CA | 9.4 mi | $3,280 | +$485 (+17%) |
| Laguna Beach, CA | 9.4 mi | $3,020 | +$225 (+8%) |
| Tustin, CA | 9.5 mi | $2,600 | $-195 (-7%) |
| Laguna Niguel, CA | 9.9 mi | $2,840 | +$45 (+2%) |
| San Juan Capistrano, CA | 12.7 mi | $2,580 | $-215 (-8%) |
| Rancho Mission Viejo, CA | 12.7 mi | $2,553 | $-242 (-9%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Lake Forest — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Lake Forest?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Lake Forest, California is $2,795 per month. This is +15% below the citywide median of $3,299.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Lake Forest?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $111,800 ($9,317/month gross), which works out to roughly $53.75/hour at a full-time job.
Is Lake Forest expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Lake Forest's 1-bedroom median of $2,795 is +100% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 97th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Lake Forest rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Lake Forest ranks #318 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Lake Forest?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Laguna Woods ($2,260), Laguna Hills ($2,720), Rancho Santa Margarita ($2,750).