Albany, CA vs Lake Forest, 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.
Albany
68.2
#1329 nationally
Lake Forest
65.3
#1638 nationally
Albany leads in walk score (84 vs 41). Lake Forest leads in average commute (24.6 min vs 31.7 min). Lake Forest leads in cost of living index (181 vs 207).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Albany, CA | Lake Forest, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.2 (#1329) | 65.3 (#1638) |
| Population | 19,097 | 85,840 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,249,885 | $1,187,225 |
| Median Household Income | $124,469 | $128,358 |
| Average Commute | 31.7 min | 24.6 min |
| Walk Score | 84 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 3.8 | 4.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 207 | 181 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+2.6 |
D+
68.2 Score
Albany, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,249,885
Population
19,097
Crime
Low
Walk Score
84
Pacific
View Albany, CA →
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 →
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