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Featured local agent — Lake Forest, CA
Sarah Mitchell
Compass Real Estate · Lake Forest, CA
“Your trusted relocation specialist since 2009. 350+ homes sold. Zero-pressure, data-first approach.”
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Lake Forest, CA Housing Market & Real Estate
Housing market overview · Updated monthly ·
$1.37Mmedian sale price
How is the Lake Forest, CA housing market right now?
The median home sale price in Lake Forest, CA is $1.37M, up 14.3% year-over-year. Homes sell in an average of 33 days with 212 active listings. The market is currently a seller's market. (Source: Redfin monthly MLS data, as of May 2026 — the most recent Redfin release; Redfin publishes each month's data on a ~6-week lag.)
Is Lake Forest a buyer's or seller's market?
Lake Forest, CA is currently a seller's market, based on 2.9 months of supply and homes selling in about 33 days. How we determine this →
Homes sold
73
Last 12 weeks
Days on market
33
Average pace
Active listings
212
2.9 months supply
Sale-to-list
99.9%
Below asking
What does the Lake Forest housing market data show?
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median sale price | $1.37M |
| Median list price | $1.30M |
| Year-over-year price change | +14.3% |
| Average days on market | 33 days |
| Active inventory | 212 listings |
| Months of supply | 2.9 months |
| Sale-to-list price ratio | 99.9% |
| Median price per sq ft | $627/sq ft |
| Homes sold (latest month) | 73 |
| New listings (latest month) | 107 |
| Listings with a price cut | 27.4% |
| Market condition | Seller's market |
Source: Redfin · Updated monthly
How much do homes cost in Lake Forest by property type?
How the Lake Forest, CA market breaks down across single-family homes, condos, and townhouses.
| Property type | Median price | Price / sq ft | Homes sold | Days on market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-family | $1.44M | $640/sq ft | 54 | 36 days |
| Condo / Co-op | $637,500 | $593/sq ft | 18 | 26 days |
| Townhouse | $746,500 | $594/sq ft | 1 | 31 days |
Source: Redfin · Updated monthly
The Lake Forest housing market is currently classified as a seller's market with a median sale price of $1.37M. Prices have risen 14.3% compared to last year, with homes spending an average of 33 days on market, indicating 2.9 months of inventory.With limited inventory, homes sell quickly and buyers should be prepared to act decisively and competitively to secure a property.The price-to-income ratio of 9.2x provides context for how home values compare to local earning capacity.
Market trends
Homes for sale in Lake Forest
There are currently 212 homes listed for sale in Lake Forest, California. The median listing price is $1.3M.
Active listings
212
Homes on market
Median list price
$1.3M
Avg. days on market
33
Days until sale
New this week
107
Newly listed
Who lives in Lake Forest?
Population
85,846
Median income
$131,378/yr
Median age
40.4 years
Owner-occupied
70.7%
College grads
50.1%
Avg commute
25.1 min
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS
What are homes worth in Lake Forest?
Zillow home value
$1.20M
Zillow rent index
$3,257/mo
Price-to-rent ratio
30.8x
Price-to-income
9.2x
Source: Zillow Research
What is it like to live in Lake Forest?
Lake Forest is a community of approximately 86K residents with a median age of 40.4 years.The median household income is $131,378, which reflects a relatively affluent area with strong earning potential. 50.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, indicating a highly educated population.
Homeownership rates are at 70.7%, reflecting strong community stability and long-term resident commitment. The average commute time is 25.1 minutes, which makes this an excellent choice for those seeking short commutes to employment centers.Overall, Lake Forest offers a balanced lifestyle with accessible home values relative to local income levels.
Which public schools serve Lake Forest?
9 schools tracked · 7,105 students
The largest public schools serving Lake Forest, CA by enrollment, drawn from the National Center for Education Statistics. School quality is a commonly cited factor in home-buying decisions — these are the campuses families in this area are most likely to encounter.
El Toro High
Grades 9-12 · 1,972 students
Ralph A. Gates DLI Magnet Elementary
Grades K-6 · 908 students
Serrano Intermediate
Grades 7-8 · 887 students
Lake Forest Elementary
Grades K-6 · 688 students
Rancho Canada Elementary
Grades K-6 · 630 students
La Madera Elementary
Grades K-6 · 602 students
Oxford Preparatory Academy - Saddleback Valley
Grades K-5 · 509 students
Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary
Grades K-6 · 497 students
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data directory. Updated annually. Ratings and test scores are not currently displayed.
Which cities are near Lake Forest, CA?
Want a head-to-head view? Compare Lake Forest side-by-side with any other U.S. city using our market-comparison tool.
Is Lake Forest a good real estate investment market?
For investors evaluating Lake Forest, the price-to-rent ratio of 30.8x indicates higher purchase prices relative to rental income, typical of appreciation-focused markets. The market has appreciated 14.3% year-over-year, reflecting ongoing demand and value growth.Use our rent vs. buy calculator to analyze whether owning or renting makes more financial sense based on Lake Forest's current market conditions and your specific situation. Estimate your monthly payment with the mortgage calculator using Lake Forest's median home price.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average home price in Lake Forest?
The median home sale price in Lake Forest is $1.37M, up 14.3% from last year.
How long do homes stay on market in Lake Forest?
Homes typically spend 33 days on market before going under contract.
What is the median income in Lake Forest?
The median household income is $131,378 per year.
Is Lake Forest a buyer's or seller's market?
With 2.9 months of supply, Lake Forest is currently a seller's market.
What is the Zillow home value estimate for Lake Forest?
The Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) for Lake Forest is $1.20M, representing the typical home value in the area.
What is the median condo price in Lake Forest?
The median condo/co-op sale price in Lake Forest, CA is $637,500, compared to $1.44M for a single-family home, based on the latest Redfin data.
How much does a single-family home cost in Lake Forest?
The median single-family home price in Lake Forest, CA is $1.44M (about $640 per square foot).
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