Lake Forest, CA vs Sunnyvale, 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
Sunnyvale
66.4
#1551 nationally
Sunnyvale leads in walk score (54 vs 41). Sunnyvale leads in median household income ($168,924 vs $128,358). Lake Forest leads in cost of living index (181 vs 205).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lake Forest, CA | Sunnyvale, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 65.3 (#1638) | 66.4 (#1551) |
| Population | 85,840 | 155,805 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,187,225 | $2,050,814 |
| Median Household Income | $128,358 | $168,924 |
| Average Commute | 24.6 min | 25.6 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 54 |
| Crime Level | 4.0 | Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 8.6 |
| Cost of Living Index | 181 | 205 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+40.0 |
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
66.4 Score
Sunnyvale, CA
Heart of tech innovation
Median Home
$2,050,814
Population
155,805
Crime
Low
Schools
A
Pacific
View Sunnyvale, CA →
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