Lake Forest, CA vs Surprise, AZ
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
Surprise
71
#1038 nationally
Lake Forest leads in walk score (41 vs 21). Surprise leads in cost of living index (115 vs 181). Lake Forest leads in median household income ($128,358 vs $87,756).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lake Forest, CA | Surprise, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 65.3 (#1638) | 71 (#1038) |
| Population | 85,840 | 158,285 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,187,225 | $419,342 |
| Median Household Income | $128,358 | $87,756 |
| Average Commute | 24.6 min | 30.5 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 21 |
| Crime Level | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 181 | 115 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | R+3.5 |
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 →
C-
71 Score
Surprise, AZ
Mid-size Arizona city with community character
Median Home
$419,342
Population
158,285
Crime
Low
Walk Score
21
Southwest
View Surprise, AZ →
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