Brea, 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.
Brea
64.3
#1700 nationally
Lake Forest
65.3
#1638 nationally
Lake Forest leads in crime level (4.0 vs 5.8). Lake Forest leads in average commute (24.6 min vs 31.1 min). Brea leads in walk score (50 vs 41).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Brea, CA | Lake Forest, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.3 (#1700) | 65.3 (#1638) |
| Population | 48,479 | 85,840 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,134,146 | $1,187,225 |
| Median Household Income | $120,226 | $128,358 |
| Average Commute | 31.1 min | 24.6 min |
| Walk Score | 50 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 5.8 | 4.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 181 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+2.6 |
D
64.3 Score
Brea, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,134,146
Population
48,479
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
50
Pacific
View Brea, 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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