Lake Forest, CA vs Walnut Creek, 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.
Lake Forest
65.3
#1638 nationally
Walnut Creek
61.4
#1910 nationally
Lake Forest leads in crime level (4.0 vs 7.7). Lake Forest leads in average commute (24.6 min vs 35.1 min). Lake Forest leads in cost of living index (181 vs 197).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lake Forest, CA | Walnut Creek, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 65.3 (#1638) | 61.4 (#1910) |
| Population | 85,840 | 69,152 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,187,225 | $1,032,096 |
| Median Household Income | $128,358 | $129,971 |
| Average Commute | 24.6 min | 35.1 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 4.0 | 7.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 181 | 197 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+38.0 |
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-
61.4 Score
Walnut Creek, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,032,096
Population
69,152
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
41
Pacific
View Walnut Creek, CA →
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