Cost of Living in Lake Forest, CA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,149 (excluding rent), and $2,924 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $3,025 (excluding rent), and $6,154 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.52 $24.52

$14.71 $14.71

$24.52 $24.52

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$102 $102

$71.1 $71.1

$152 $152

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.06 $10.06

$15.09 $15.09

Cappuccino

$5.89 $5.89

$4.10 $4.10

$8.20 $8.20

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.70 $2.70

$1.77 $1.77

$3.03 $3.03

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.22 $2.22

$1.95 $1.95

$2.92 $2.92

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.33 $8.33

$4.90 $4.90

$10.78 $10.78

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.61 $8.61

$4.86 $4.86

$9.73 $9.73

Milk (1 liter)

$1.19 $1.19

$0.78 $0.78

$1.56 $1.56

White Bread (500g)

$4.43 $4.43

$2.21 $2.21

$6.67 $6.67

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.62 $4.62

$1.94 $1.94

$10.82 $10.82

Eggs

$4.41 $4.41

$2.93 $2.93

$10.78 $10.78

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.30 $12.30

$5.21 $5.21

$15.25 $15.25

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$17.01 $17.01

$4.42 $4.42

$24.30 $24.30

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.33 $19.33

$8.69 $8.69

$43.56 $43.56

Apples (1kg)

$6.44 $6.44

$2.78 $2.78

$13.32 $13.32

Banana (1kg)

$1.84 $1.84

$1.27 $1.27

$6.46 $6.46

Oranges (1kg)

$4.15 $4.15

$1.61 $1.61

$8.58 $8.58

Tomato (1kg)

$5.31 $5.31

$2.14 $2.14

$8.58 $8.58

Potato (1kg)

$3.25 $3.25

$1.10 $1.10

$4.43 $4.43

Onion (1kg)

$3.03 $3.03

$1.11 $1.11

$4.44 $4.44

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.85 $1.85

$0.98 $0.98

$2.94 $2.94

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.13 $2.13

$1.27 $1.27

$3.42 $3.42

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.87 $9.87

$9.82 $9.82

$14.36 $14.36

Wine (Bottle)

$16.94 $16.94

$9.96 $9.96

$22.92 $22.92

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.75 $1.75

$4.34 $4.34

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.01 $4.01

$1.75 $1.75

$6.01 $6.01

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.60 $3.60

$1.29 $1.29

$3.60 $3.60

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.17 $3.17

$3.06 $3.06

$7.15 $7.15

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.68 $2.68

$4.23 $4.23

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.54 $29.54

$32.50 $32.50

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.25 $1.25

$1.13 $1.13

$1.30 $1.30

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$28.0K $28.0K

$24.5K $24.5K

$33.4K $33.4K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$27.0K $27.0K

$25.8K $25.8K

$29.4K $29.4K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$197 $197

$98.3 $98.3

$344 $344

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$53.9 $53.9

$29.76 $29.76

$92.3 $92.3

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$73.4 $73.4

$54.7 $54.7

$86.1 $86.1

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$49.65 $49.65

$17.38 $17.38

$49.65 $49.65

Cinema Ticket

$17.36 $17.36

$9.92 $9.92

$19.84 $19.84

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,762 $1,762

$1,380 $1,380

$2,366 $2,366

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.8K $23.8K

$20.1K $20.1K

$42.9K $42.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$61.4 $61.4

$24.75 $24.75

$88.1 $88.1

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.45 $40.45

$14.89 $14.89

$59.6 $59.6

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$104 $104

$61.0 $61.0

$132 $132

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$150 $150

$85.1 $85.1

$250 $250

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,431 $1,431

$998 $998

$1,697 $1,697

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,472 $1,472

$981 $981

$1,472 $1,472

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,123 $3,123

$3,022 $3,022

$3,224 $3,224

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,805 $2,805

$1,703 $1,703

$2,805 $2,805

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$8,192 $8,192

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,943 $6,943

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,959 $6,959

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.49

6.19

7.7

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: January 13, 2026

Lake Forest, CA Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

327

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Lake Forest, CA - Frequently Asked Questions

The Cost of Living in Lake Forest, CA, United States sits in a comfortable middle tier for inland Orange County towns. You'll find a mix of single-family homes, townhomes, and rentals that lets you tailor your stay to your budget. Utilities, groceries, and dining out are generally manageable, especially if you plan a longer stay and compare options across neighborhoods near Irvine or Foothill Ranch. The lifestyle – from parks and bike paths to shopping centers – adds value beyond price alone. Who benefits most? travelers who want reliable safety, good schools nearby, and room to work or roam without coastal premium pricing. Tip: Start with a two-week stay in a neighborhood you like and note what costs surprise you.

Daily life centers on a car-friendly routine and suburban comfort. For housing, you’ll see a spectrum from attached townhomes to newer single-family homes, with rental options that suit short and longer stays. Grocery stores, farmers markets, and casual dining provide variety without luxury-price spikes common in coastal cities. Public transit is useful for commuting to nearby business parks, but most people rely on a car for flexibility. Co-working spaces and cafes with reliable wifi support remote work. Knowing the Lake Forest, CA, United States living cost helps you budget groceries, utilities, and your commute. Tip: Build a month-long shopping and transport plan to identify the best value routes and neighborhoods.

Quality of life here blends safety, outdoor space, and proximity to major OC hubs. A practical budgeting framework is to split expenses into housing, essentials, and leisure, then test two neighborhoods over a season to compare transport needs and timing. In Lake Forest, you can leverage local parks, open spaces, and family-friendly amenities for a relaxed vibe, while nearby Irvine or Mission Viejo offer nightlife and more dining diversity within a short drive. Save tips: negotiate lease terms, look for move-in specials, and consider gym or coworking memberships that bundle services. Peak demand tends to align with school calendars, so plan visits and leases accordingly. Tip: Map your must-haves to neighborhoods and track costs for two months.