Hercules, 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.
Hercules
63.3
#1776 nationally
Lake Forest
65.3
#1638 nationally
Lake Forest leads in average commute (24.6 min vs 40.4 min). Lake Forest leads in walk score (41 vs 29). Lake Forest leads in crime level (4.0 vs 4.6).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Hercules, CA | Lake Forest, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.3 (#1776) | 65.3 (#1638) |
| Population | 26,582 | 85,840 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $743,984 | $1,187,225 |
| Median Household Income | $125,880 | $128,358 |
| Average Commute | 40.4 min | 24.6 min |
| Walk Score | 29 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 4.6 | 4.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 171 | 181 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+38.0 | D+2.6 |
D
63.3 Score
Hercules, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$743,984
Population
26,582
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
29
Pacific
View Hercules, 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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