Avondale vs Lake Forest
Two Duval communities, compared on the numbers that decide it — price, pace, and supply — from live MLS data as of 2026-10-02.
| Metric | Avondale | Lake Forest |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $582K | $216K |
| Price per sq ft | $355 | $136 |
| Avg days on market | 71 days | 86 days |
| Months of supply | 2.8 mo | 2.2 mo |
| Market | Balanced Market | Seller's Market |
| 1-year price change | +5% | +13% |
| Recent closings | 26 | 43 |
The verdict
Avondale carries the higher median price — about 169% above Lake Forest. Homes in Avondale sell faster (71 days on market vs 86). Lake Forest is the tighter market on inventory (2.2 months of supply).
Where each one is
Avondale and Lake Forest are about 7 miles apart (straight-line, center to center) and share Duval County.
| Avondale | Lake Forest | |
|---|---|---|
| County | Duval County, FL | Duval County, FL |
| City / area | Jacksonville | Jacksonville |
| ZIP | 32205 | 32208 |
| Straight-line to downtown Jacksonville | 4 mi | 4 mi |
| Nearest Atlantic beach | 19 mi, Atlantic Beach | 16 mi, Huguenot Park (Jacksonville) |
| FEMA flood zones (sampled parcels) | all 16 sampled homes outside a flood zone | 86% of 22 homes outside a flood zone (Zone X) |
Distances are straight-line; driving distance is usually 15 to 30 percent more. Flood-zone shares come from FEMA flood maps matched to sampled parcels; always check the exact address before you close.
What is for sale today
| Avondale | Lake Forest | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes for sale now | 6 | 8 |
| Under contract | 1 | 4 |
| Asking prices today | $399K to $749K | $125K to $224K |
| Property types listed | Single Family Residence | Single Family Residence |
Live MLS counts, refreshed with every listing pull. Browse them: Avondale homes for sale · Lake Forest homes for sale.
The homes themselves
| Avondale | Lake Forest | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes (parcels) | 867 | 605 |
| Built | 1901–2024 (median 1926) | 1924–2023 (median 1950) |
| Typical living area | 1,777 sq ft | 1,618 sq ft |
| Homesteaded (owner-occupied) share | 60% | 57% |
| Vacant lots | 1 | 7 |
Housing-stock figures from the Florida Department of Revenue 2025 assessment roll (public records).
Price history, year by year
| Year | Avondale median | Lake Forest median |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | $112K (5 sales) | $21K (39 sales) |
| 2013 | $170K (7 sales) | $29K (46 sales) |
| 2014 | $155K (8 sales) | $26K (57 sales) |
| 2015 | $218K (6 sales) | $25K (56 sales) |
| 2016 | $185K (6 sales) | $39K (71 sales) |
| 2017 | $367K (20 sales) | $65K (56 sales) |
| 2018 | $262K (23 sales) | $89K (70 sales) |
| 2019 | $317K (20 sales) | $81K (65 sales) |
| 2020 | $292K (16 sales) | $109K (50 sales) |
| 2021 | $375K (31 sales) | $122K (84 sales) |
| 2022 | $568K (22 sales) | $169K (52 sales) |
| 2023 | $545K (13 sales) | $180K (44 sales) |
| 2024 | $562K (22 sales) | $185K (45 sales) |
| 2025 | $650K (18 sales) | $148K (59 sales) |
| 2026 | $645K (28 sales) | $165K (45 sales) |
Since 2012, Avondale's median sale price is +473% and Lake Forest's is +681% — Lake Forest has appreciated faster over that stretch.
How each one trades
| Avondale | Lake Forest | |
|---|---|---|
| Sale-to-original-list | 95.7% | 92.5% |
| New-construction share of sales | 0% | 2% |
| Typical sold home | 1,915 sq ft | 1,252 sq ft |
| Momentum market-heat score | 49 (normal) | 34 (cold) |
Last 12 months of recorded closings; sale-to-original-list is the share of the first asking price sellers actually got.
Schools the listings are zoned for
| Avondale | Lake Forest | |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary | not reported | North Shore |
| Middle | not reported | Matthew Gilbert |
| High school | not reported | Jean Ribault |
The school most often recorded on each community's MLS listings. Always confirm a specific address with the district.
Momentum Realty agents have closed 0 homes in Avondale and 1 in Lake Forest (brokerage records, both sides counted once). Find an agent who works Avondale · Lake Forest.
Which one fits
On budget alone, Lake Forest is the lower entry point (median $216K vs $582K). Buyers who want newer construction (fewer near-term roof, HVAC and re-plumb items, and easier insurance quotes in Florida) will find it in Lake Forest; Avondale trades that for a more established street and, typically, larger lots. Sellers get a faster sale in Avondale (71 days on market on average); buyers get more negotiating room where homes sit longer.
Neither number set decides it: drive both on a weekday evening, check the HOA documents and the flood zone for the exact street, and price the insurance before you write an offer. A Momentum agent who works both communities can pull the comparable sales for any two specific homes.
Questions people ask
Is Avondale more expensive than Lake Forest?
Yes, on recent sales: the median sale price in Avondale is $582,000 versus $216,000 in Lake Forest, about 169% higher.
How far apart are Avondale and Lake Forest?
About 7 miles straight-line, center to center, both in Duval County; driving distance is usually 15 to 30 percent more.
Which has newer homes, Avondale or Lake Forest?
Lake Forest: its homes were built 1924–2023 with a median year of 1950, versus a median of 1926 in Avondale (Florida DOR assessment roll).
Which has bigger homes?
Avondale. The typical home there is 1,777 sq ft of living area, versus 1,618 sq ft in Lake Forest.
Which has appreciated more, Avondale or Lake Forest?
From 2012 to 2026 the median sale price rose 473% in Avondale and 681% in Lake Forest (recorded MLS closings by calendar year).
Where do sellers get closer to asking price?
Avondale — sellers there received 95.7% of the original list price over the last 12 months versus 92.5% in Lake Forest.
Go deeper on each: Avondale homes, photos & schools · Lake Forest homes, photos & schools
Figures are aggregates from realMLS / DBAAR, updated regularly. Thinking about either? Talk to Momentum Realty.