Garfield, NJ 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.
Garfield
69.8
#1167 nationally
Lake Forest
65.3
#1638 nationally
Garfield leads in walk score (77 vs 41). Lake Forest leads in median household income ($128,358 vs $72,026). Garfield leads in cost of living index (131 vs 181).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Garfield, NJ | Lake Forest, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.8 (#1167) | 65.3 (#1638) |
| Population | 32,456 | 85,840 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $592,866 | $1,187,225 |
| Median Household Income | $72,026 | $128,358 |
| Average Commute | 27.8 min | 24.6 min |
| Walk Score | 77 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 5.5 | 4.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 131 | 181 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+3.4 | D+2.6 |
D+
69.8 Score
Garfield, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$592,866
Population
32,456
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
77
Northeast
View Garfield, NJ →
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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