Berkeley, CA vs Lake Forest, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Berkeley
59.6
#1947 nationally
Lake Forest
65.3
#1638 nationally
Lake Forest leads in crime level (4.0 vs 17.5). Berkeley leads in walk score (85 vs 41). Lake Forest leads in average commute (24.6 min vs 30.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lake Forest, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 59.6 (#1947) | 65.3 (#1638) |
| Population | 118,962 | 85,840 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,460,437 | $1,187,225 |
| Median Household Income | $104,716 | $128,358 |
| Average Commute | 30.4 min | 24.6 min |
| Walk Score | 85 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 17.5 | 4.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 222 | 181 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+2.6 |
F
59.6 Score
Berkeley, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,460,437
Population
118,962
Crime
High
Walk Score
85
Pacific
View Berkeley, CA →
D
65.3 Score
Lake Forest, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,187,225
Population
85,840
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
41
Pacific
View Lake Forest, CA →
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