Lake Forest, CA vs Paramus, NJ
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.
Lake Forest
65.3
#1638 nationally
Paramus
67.9
#1371 nationally
Paramus leads in crime level (0.8 vs 4.0). Lake Forest leads in average commute (24.6 min vs 31 min). Lake Forest leads in walk score (41 vs 37).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lake Forest, CA | Paramus, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 65.3 (#1638) | 67.9 (#1371) |
| Population | 85,840 | 26,282 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,187,225 | $1,086,056 |
| Median Household Income | $128,358 | $136,824 |
| Average Commute | 24.6 min | 31 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 37 |
| Crime Level | 4.0 | 0.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 181 | 173 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+3.4 |
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 →
D+
67.9 Score
Paramus, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,086,056
Population
26,282
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
37
Northeast
View Paramus, NJ →
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