Carlsbad, 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.
Carlsbad
62.6
#1838 nationally
Lake Forest
65.3
#1638 nationally
Lake Forest leads in crime level (4.0 vs 5.5). Lake Forest leads in walk score (41 vs 31). Lake Forest leads in average commute (24.6 min vs 28.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carlsbad, CA | Lake Forest, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.6 (#1838) | 65.3 (#1638) |
| Population | 113,495 | 85,840 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,361,646 | $1,187,225 |
| Median Household Income | $134,139 | $128,358 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 24.6 min |
| Walk Score | 31 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 5.5 | 4.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 202 | 181 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+2.6 |
D-
62.6 Score
Carlsbad, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,361,646
Population
113,495
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
31
Pacific
View Carlsbad, 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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