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

89.96

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,240 (excluding rent), and $2,936 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $3,057 (excluding rent), and $6,077 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.26 $25.26

$15.16 $15.16

$25.26 $25.26

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.6 $98.6

$69 $69

$148 $148

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.06 $10.06

$15.09 $15.09

Cappuccino

$5.88 $5.88

$4.09 $4.09

$8.17 $8.17

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

$2.65 $2.65

$1.74 $1.74

$2.98 $2.98

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.31 $2.31

$2.03 $2.03

$3.04 $3.04

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.73 $8.73

$5.14 $5.14

$11.3 $11.3

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.6 $8.6

$4.86 $4.86

$9.72 $9.72

Milk (1 liter)

$1.19 $1.19

$0.78 $0.78

$1.56 $1.56

White Bread (500g)

$4.33 $4.33

$2.16 $2.16

$6.51 $6.51

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.72 $4.72

$1.99 $1.99

$11.07 $11.07

Eggs

$4.62 $4.62

$3.07 $3.07

$11.29 $11.29

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.6 $12.6

$5.33 $5.33

$15.61 $15.61

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.68 $16.68

$4.33 $4.33

$23.82 $23.82

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.32 $19.32

$8.69 $8.69

$43.55 $43.55

Apples (1kg)

$6.53 $6.53

$2.82 $2.82

$13.49 $13.49

Banana (1kg)

$1.93 $1.93

$1.33 $1.33

$6.78 $6.78

Oranges (1kg)

$4.15 $4.15

$1.61 $1.61

$8.6 $8.6

Tomato (1kg)

$5.37 $5.37

$2.16 $2.16

$8.68 $8.68

Potato (1kg)

$3.28 $3.28

$1.11 $1.11

$4.46 $4.46

Onion (1kg)

$2.99 $2.99

$1.09 $1.09

$4.38 $4.38

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.87 $1.87

$0.99 $0.99

$2.97 $2.97

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.12 $2.12

$1.26 $1.26

$3.4 $3.4

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.75 $9.75

$9.7 $9.7

$14.17 $14.17

Wine (Bottle)

$15.16 $15.16

$20.22 $20.22

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.7 $1.7

$4.22 $4.22

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.09 $4.09

$1.79 $1.79

$6.12 $6.12

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.42 $3.42

$1.22 $1.22

$3.42 $3.42

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.13 $3.13

$3.03 $3.03

$7.07 $7.07

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.71 $2.71

$4.28 $4.28

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.28 $29.28

$32.21 $32.21

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.24 $1.24

$1.11 $1.11

$1.29 $1.29

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

$28.8K $28.8K

$25.3K $25.3K

$34.4K $34.4K

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

$26.3K $26.3K

$25.2K $25.2K

$28.6K $28.6K

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)

$54.2 $54.2

$29.94 $29.94

$92.8 $92.8

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$73.3 $73.3

$54.7 $54.7

$86.1 $86.1

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$50.2 $50.2

$17.57 $17.57

$50.2 $50.2

Cinema Ticket

$17.53 $17.53

$10.02 $10.02

$20.04 $20.04

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

$1,776 $1,776

$1,391 $1,391

$2,385 $2,385

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$24.2K $24.2K

$20.4K $20.4K

$43.5K $43.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.1 $63.1

$25.43 $25.43

$90.5 $90.5

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$41.22 $41.22

$15.17 $15.17

$60.7 $60.7

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$103 $103

$60.6 $60.6

$131 $131

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$83.3 $83.3

$245 $245

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,418 $1,418

$989 $989

$1,681 $1,681

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,501 $1,501

$1,001 $1,001

$1,501 $1,501

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,107 $3,107

$3,007 $3,007

$3,207 $3,207

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,789 $2,789

$1,693 $1,693

$2,789 $2,789

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$8,082 $8,082

$1,983 $1,983

$8,082 $8,082

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$7,005 $7,005

$1,925 $1,925

$7,005 $7,005

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$7,024 $7,024

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.

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.