Lake Forest, CA vs Ridgewood, 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
Ridgewood
68
#1362 nationally
Ridgewood leads in crime level (1.2 vs 4.0). Ridgewood leads in median household income ($211,224 vs $128,358). Lake Forest leads in average commute (24.6 min vs 36.3 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lake Forest, CA | Ridgewood, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 65.3 (#1638) | 68 (#1362) |
| Population | 85,840 | 26,194 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,187,225 | $1,273,036 |
| Median Household Income | $128,358 | $211,224 |
| Average Commute | 24.6 min | 36.3 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 4.0 | 1.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 181 | 181 |
| 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+
68 Score
Ridgewood, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,273,036
Population
26,194
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
42
Northeast
View Ridgewood, NJ →
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