River Oaks Apartments
20700-20702 El Toro Rd,
Lake Forest, CA 92630
1-2 Beds | $2,495 - $2,995
Rental Market Trends in Lake Forest, CA
Updated September 2026
The average rent in Lake Forest, CA is $2,560/month.
Rent in Lake Forest is 54% higher than the national average rent of $1,665/month, making this one of the more expensive cities statewide.
$2,560/month
Average Rent
713 Sq Ft
Average Size
+3%
Change / Year
329
Available Apartments
Lake Forest rent varies by unit size and layout:
- Studio apartments in Lake Forest average $2,537 per month.
- One-bedroom apartments in Lake Forest average $2,560 per month.
- Two-bedroom apartments in Lake Forest average $3,256 per month.
- Three-bedroom apartments in Lake Forest average $3,945 or more per month.
Average Rent by Home Type
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
How much has average rent changed in Lake Forest, CA?
In the past year, rent has increased by 3%, which averages out to $78 more per month.
Market Trends Over Time
September 2026
2025
2026
Rent Ranges in Lake Forest, CA
September 2026
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Percentage*
Rent Range
0%
Below $700/month
0%
$700 - $1,000/month
0%
$1,001 - $1,500/month
5%
$1,501 - $2,000/month
95%
Above $2,000/month
Rent by Neighborhood
What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Lake Forest?
Based on current rent prices, Limestone Canyon is the most affordable neighborhood in Lake Forest.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Lake Forest?
Based on current rent prices, Limestone Canyon is the most expensive neighborhood in Lake Forest.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Which Lake Forest neighborhoods have the most rentals available?
The neighborhood in Lake Forest with the most apartments available is Limestone Canyon .
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Lake Forest, CA?
Because the average rent in Lake Forest is $2,560, you’ll want to make about $8,533 per month or $102,396 per year. The general guideline is to pay no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. However, you’ll want to consider additional factors, such as your monthly bills and other expenses. Use our rent affordability calculator to help determine how much to budget for rent.
How does Lake Forest, CA compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?
Use the tool below to compare Lake Forest, CA to other nearby cities and neighborhoods. The Apartments.com neighborhood guides provide you with insight into the area’s transportation, things to do, and more.
View the Lake Forest Area GuideStudio
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-
One Bedroom
$2,743/month
$2,743/month
Two Bedroom
$3,745/month
$3,745/month
Three Bedroom
$4,113/month
$4,113/month
Compare Rent Trends Nearby
Get a clearer picture of the area by viewing rent trends in nearby cities.
-
Foothill Ranch
Avg Rent: $2,675/month
-
Mission Viejo
Avg Rent: $2,555/month
-
Laguna Hills
Avg Rent: $2,511/month
-
Rancho Santa Margarita
Avg Rent: $2,539/month
-
Irvine
Avg Rent: $2,964/month
-
Aliso Viejo
Avg Rent: $2,815/month
Apartment Communities in Lake Forest We Think You'll Love
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in Lake Forest?
The average rent in Lake Forest is $2,560 per month, which is 53.8% higher than the national average of $1,665.
What is the average rent for a condo in Lake Forest?
The average rent for a condo in Lake Forest, CA is $2,455 per month.
Are rents going up or down in Lake Forest?
Rents in Lake Forest, CA are increasing, with prices up 3.0% year-over-year and $78 more per month.
What rent range is most common in Lake Forest?
In Lake Forest, CA, 95% of apartments fall above $2,000/month, though prices may vary depending on location and other factors.
Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in September 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.
* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.