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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,197 (excluding rent), and $2,988 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $3,558 (excluding rent), and $6,020 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.55 $24.55

$14.73 $14.73

$24.55 $24.55

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$99.4 $99.4

$69.6 $69.6

$149 $149

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.03 $10.03

$15.04 $15.04

Cappuccino

$5.68 $5.68

$3.95 $3.95

$7.9 $7.9

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

$2.72 $2.72

$1.78 $1.78

$3.05 $3.05

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.3 $2.3

$2.02 $2.02

$3.02 $3.02

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.42 $8.42

$4.95 $4.95

$10.9 $10.9

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.59 $8.59

$4.86 $4.86

$9.71 $9.71

Milk (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$0.77 $0.77

$1.54 $1.54

White Bread (500g)

$4.45 $4.45

$2.22 $2.22

$6.71 $6.71

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$1.92 $1.92

$10.7 $10.7

Eggs

$4.38 $4.38

$2.91 $2.91

$10.71 $10.71

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.37 $12.37

$5.24 $5.24

$15.33 $15.33

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$17.14 $17.14

$4.45 $4.45

$24.48 $24.48

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.7 $19.7

$8.86 $8.86

$44.41 $44.41

Apples (1kg)

$6.2 $6.2

$2.68 $2.68

$12.82 $12.82

Banana (1kg)

$1.9 $1.9

$1.31 $1.31

$6.68 $6.68

Oranges (1kg)

$4.14 $4.14

$1.6 $1.6

$8.57 $8.57

Tomato (1kg)

$5.33 $5.33

$2.15 $2.15

$8.62 $8.62

Potato (1kg)

$3.2 $3.2

$1.09 $1.09

$4.36 $4.36

Onion (1kg)

$3.09 $3.09

$1.13 $1.13

$4.53 $4.53

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.91 $1.91

$1.02 $1.02

$3.04 $3.04

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.13 $2.13

$1.27 $1.27

$3.42 $3.42

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.86 $9.86

$9.81 $9.81

$14.34 $14.34

Wine (Bottle)

$20.24 $20.24

$10.11 $10.11

$34.42 $34.42

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.71 $1.71

$4.23 $4.23

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.91 $3.91

$1.71 $1.71

$5.85 $5.85

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.53 $3.53

$1.26 $1.26

$3.53 $3.53

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.15 $3.15

$3.04 $3.04

$7.1 $7.1

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.8 $2.8

$4.43 $4.43

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.35 $29.35

$32.28 $32.28

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.25 $1.25

$1.12 $1.12

$1.3 $1.3

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

$28.5K $28.5K

$25K $25K

$34K $34K

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

$27K $27K

$25.8K $25.8K

$29.4K $29.4K

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

$199 $199

$99.2 $99.2

$347 $347

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

$54.9 $54.9

$30.29 $30.29

$93.9 $93.9

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$72.4 $72.4

$54 $54

$85 $85

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$50.1 $50.1

$17.53 $17.53

$50.1 $50.1

Cinema Ticket

$17.76 $17.76

$10.15 $10.15

$20.3 $20.3

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

$1,764 $1,764

$1,382 $1,382

$2,369 $2,369

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.7K $23.7K

$19.9K $19.9K

$42.5K $42.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63 $63

$25.4 $25.4

$90.4 $90.4

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$41.46 $41.46

$15.26 $15.26

$61.1 $61.1

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$104 $104

$60.9 $60.9

$132 $132

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$150 $150

$85 $85

$250 $250

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,417 $1,417

$989 $989

$1,681 $1,681

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,520 $1,520

$1,013 $1,013

$1,520 $1,520

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,109 $3,109

$3,009 $3,009

$3,209 $3,209

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,767 $2,767

$1,680 $1,680

$2,767 $2,767

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,913 $7,913

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$7,109 $7,109

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$7,065 $7,065

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: November 30, 2025

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.