Average Rent in Lake Forest, CA
What is the average rent in Lake Forest, CA?
The average listed apartment rent in Lake Forest, CA is $3,108 per month, as of October 22, 2026. This sample includes 135 priced apartments in 10 buildings. These are tracked asking prices, not signed leases.
We use published total monthly rent when known and base rent otherwise. Unknown fees remain unknown. Buildings without a qualifying price do not count in this sample. The guide directory can include more buildings.
10 apartment buildings, 135 units. Recorded asking prices and price history where available.
Browse apartments in Lake Forest, CACheapest
$2,432/mo
Skyview Apartments
Properties
10
tracked daily
Units
135
available now
Lake Forest, CA Resident Access
City Club members share insider gate codes, parking links, and amenity tips.
Analysis
Rent Price Breakdown
Compare pricing across all 10 properties in Lake Forest, CA.
Average rent trend, last 3 months
All bedroom types, citywide. Choose a window above to scope the view.
Average Rent by Property
Starting Price vs Average
Rent by Bedroom Count
Price per Square Foot
Lake Forest, CA Rent Prices
All 10 properties ranked by lowest available rent.
Skyview Apartments
21022 Los Alisos Blvd, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, USA
Siena Terrace Apartments
20041 Osterman Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630, USA
eaves Lake Forest
22700 Lake Forest Dr, Lake Forest, CA 92630, USA
Madrid Apartments
28401 Los Alisos Blvd, Mission Viejo, CA 92692, USA
Vista Del Lago Apartments
21622 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, CA 92692, USA
Sonterra at Foothill Ranch Apartments
26322 Towne Centre Dr, Foothill Ranch, CA 92610, USA
Artisan Laguna Beach
350 Artisan Dr, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, USA
| # | Property | From | Avg | $/sqft | Rating | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Skyview Apartments 21022 Los Alisos Blvd, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, USA | $2,432 | $2,936 | $3.33/ft² | 4.7 (239) | 6 |
| 2 | Siena Terrace Apartments 20041 Osterman Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630, USA | $2,442 | $2,791 | $3.31/ft² | 4.6 (357) | 14 |
| 3 | eaves Lake Forest 22700 Lake Forest Dr, Lake Forest, CA 92630, USA | $2,482 | $2,858 | $3.20/ft² | 4.4 (211) | 11 |
| 4 | Madrid Apartments 28401 Los Alisos Blvd, Mission Viejo, CA 92692, USA | $2,515 as of Oct 8 | $3,153 | $3.25/ft² | 4.6 (315) | 9 |
| 5 | Vista Del Lago Apartments 21622 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, CA 92692, USA | $2,537 | $2,986 | $3.33/ft² | 4.6 (344) | 27 |
| 6 | Sonterra at Foothill Ranch Apartments 26322 Towne Centre Dr, Foothill Ranch, CA 92610, USA | $2,576 | $2,952 | $3.38/ft² | 4.5 (161) | 9 |
| 7 | Artisan Laguna Beach 350 Artisan Dr, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, USA | $2,604 | $3,224 | $3.71/ft² | 4 (188) | 30 |
Rent & Price History by Building
Compare apartment listings by price, bedrooms, and neighborhood.
Skyview Apartments
4.7 (239)21022 Los Alisos Blvd, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, USA
Siena Terrace Apartments
4.6 (357)20041 Osterman Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630, USA
eaves Lake Forest
4.4 (211)22700 Lake Forest Dr, Lake Forest, CA 92630, USA
Madrid Apartments
4.6 (315)28401 Los Alisos Blvd, Mission Viejo, CA 92692, USA
Vista Del Lago Apartments
4.6 (344)21622 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, CA 92692, USA
Sonterra at Foothill Ranch Apartments
4.5 (161)26322 Towne Centre Dr, Foothill Ranch, CA 92610, USA
By Area
Lake Forest, CA neighborhoods
Tracked buildings across 5 named neighborhoods. Pick one to see its apartments.
Lake Forest, CA Average Rent Prices 2026
The average listed rent in Lake Forest, CA is $3,108 per month, based on 135 units across 10 apartment communities. Prices range from $2,432 at Skyview Apartments to $4,527 at Avalon Baker Ranch.
Average Rent by Bedroom Type
| Type | Avg Rent | Starting From | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bed | $2,758/mo | $2,432/mo | 59 |
| 2 Bed | $3,333/mo | $2,867/mo | 71 |
| 3 Bed | $4,045/mo | $3,575/mo | 5 |
We schedule daily price checks. The included observations can have different dates. Request an area we do not cover so we can review it for coverage.
Market Context
Who rents in Lake Forest, CA, and what they pay
Tracked one-bedroom rent in Lake Forest, CA averages $2,758/mo, with two-bedroom units averaging $3,333/mo. At the local median household income of $131,378, that works out to 28% of gross income, near the 30 percent affordability ceiling.
The U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 2023 release pegged median gross rent in Lake Forest, CA at $2,616/mo. The current tracked market average runs 19% higher than that benchmark, reflecting both two to three years of rent growth and the fact that the Census figure covers all renter-occupied housing in Lake Forest, CA while the tracked market average covers units currently listed in larger apartment communities.
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Lake Forest, CA?
Built on the 25 to 30 percent rent-to-income guideline used by most landlords and credit-scoring models.
Minimum to afford average rent
$124,000/year
Based on the 30 percent rule, using our tracked average rent of $3,108/mo.
Comfortable income
$149,000/year
Based on the 25 percent rule, leaving more room for savings, transport, and groceries.
To afford the cheapest tracked apartment ($2,432/mo), you need to earn at least $97,000/year.
Median household income in Lake Forest, CA is $131,378 , about 12% below the comfortable-living threshold.
Cost of living in Lake Forest, CA
Overall prices in Lake Forest, CA runs above the national average by about 15% (BEA Regional Price Parity index 114.7, where 100 equals the U.S. average). The breakdown below estimates monthly costs for a single adult, using national consumer-spending baselines from the Bureau of Labor Statistics scaled by Lake Forest, CA's regional price parities.
| Category | Monthly estimate |
|---|---|
| Rent (market average) | $3,108 |
| Utilities | $744 |
| Groceries | $578 |
| Transportation | $1,773 |
| Healthcare | $865 |
| Other goods and services | $1,384 |
| Estimated total | $8,452/mo |
Population
85,846
Median household income
$131,378
Census median rent
$2,616/mo
Census rent burden
33.5%
Median age
40.4
Mean commute
25 min
Methodology
Rent data
We use listed asking rents and schedule daily data updates. Individual buildings can have different verification dates. Check the building or unit page for its latest price and availability.
Cost of living
Estimates combine national consumer-spending baselines from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Consumer Expenditure Survey) with the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (MARPP dataset). Both are peer-reviewed federal data releases published annually.
Salary to live comfortably
We estimate annual income by dividing annual rent by 30 percent for the affordability figure and 25 percent for the comfortable-income figure. These estimates are a guide, not a guarantee of rental approval.
Demographic figures
Median household income, population, median age, commute time, Census median rent, and rent as percentage of income come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-year estimates, the most recent complete release.
Cost of living and demographic figures were last published in 2023.
Compare
Nearby cities in California
How Lake Forest, CA rent compares to other markets in the state.
| City | Avg Rent | vs Lake Forest, CA | 30-Day Change | Properties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $3,115 | 0% | +6.6% | 50 |
| San Diego, CA | $3,451 | +11% | +2.9% | 36 |
| Anaheim, CA | $2,857 | -8% | +2.3% | 33 |
| EL Cajon, CA | $2,291 | -26% | +11.4% | 32 |
| San Francisco, CA | $5,284 | +70% | -1.4% | 32 |
| Hayward, CA | $2,859 | -8% | -7.2% | 27 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Lake Forest, CA?
The average listed apartment rent in Lake Forest, CA is $3,108 per month, as of October 22, 2026. This sample includes 135 priced apartments in 10 buildings. These are tracked asking prices, not signed leases.
What is the median rent in Lake Forest, CA?
The median asking rent in Lake Forest, CA is $3,147 per month, computed from 135 priced listings; check the observation dates shown on this page. The average is $3,108/mo; the median resists skew from luxury listings.
What is the cheapest apartment rent in Lake Forest, CA?
The lowest available rent in Lake Forest, CA starts at $2,432 per month. Confirm current availability, fees, and lease terms with the selected listing.
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Lake Forest, CA?
1-bedroom apartments in Lake Forest, CA average $2,758/mo. The lowest listed 1-bedroom starts at $2,432/mo across 59 units tracked.
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Lake Forest, CA?
2-bedroom apartments in Lake Forest, CA average $3,333/mo. Units start from $2,867/mo across 71 units currently listed.
Rent Trends in Lake Forest, CA
Track how apartment prices are changing over time.
Missing your neighborhood?
Tell us where you're looking. We'll start tracking prices within 24 hours.
Get Started