Residential comparison · 13 facts
Lake Forest, CA vs Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Compare the housing, tax, cost, income, safety, school, and climate facts that are available for both places. The table shows the numbers without declaring one city universally better.
A household earning $85,000 in Lake Forest needs about $85,500 in Rancho Santa Margarita to keep the same lifestyle.
Coming from Rancho Santa Margarita, $85,000 of lifestyle costs about $84,500 in Lake Forest.
A few differences
- Rancho Santa Margarita is higher on median household income ($152,560 vs $135,175).
- Lake Forest is lower on cost of living index (158 vs 162).
- Lake Forest is lower on 2-bedroom rent ($2,747/mo vs $2,835/mo).
Lake Forest vs Rancho Santa Margarita · facet by facet
| Facet | Lake Forest, CA | Rancho Santa Margarita, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $937,000 | $971,200 |
| 2-bedroom rent | $2,747/mo | $2,835/mo |
| Property tax rate | 0.75% | 0.75% |
| State & local income tax | 2.09% | 2.09% |
| Sales tax | 8.8% | 8.8% |
| Cost of living index | 158 | 162 |
| Groceries index | 112 | 112 |
| Utilities | $245/mo | $245/mo |
| Median household income | $135,175 | $152,560 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 5.2% |
| Crime index | 52/100 | 52/100 |
| School rating | 5.5/10 | 5.5/10 |
| Sunny days / year | 260 days | 260 days |
Data: Census ACS 2024 · BLS · Tax Foundation 2024 brackets · HUD/Zillow · NOAA 1991–2020 · FEMA NRI · Values are shown as reported; no universal winner is implied.
Full profiles: Lake Forest, CA · Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Questions & answers
- Is Lake Forest cheaper than Rancho Santa Margarita?
- Lake Forest has the lower day-to-day cost index (158 vs 162 against a national 100). The other differences are shown facet by facet in the table.
- What household income in Rancho Santa Margarita equals $85,000 in Lake Forest?
- A household earning $85,000 in Lake Forest needs about $85,500 in Rancho Santa Margarita to keep the same lifestyle; coming the other way, $85,000 of Rancho Santa Margarita lifestyle costs about $84,500 in Lake Forest.