Lake Forest vs University Park
Two Duval communities, compared on the numbers that decide it — price, pace, and supply — from live MLS data as of 2026-11-01.
| Metric | Lake Forest | University Park |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $216K | $289K |
| Price per sq ft | $136 | $167 |
| Avg days on market | 86 days | 78 days |
| Months of supply | 2.3 mo | 1.8 mo |
| Market | Balanced Market | Balanced Market (limited data) |
| 1-year price change | -6% | -3% |
| Recent closings | 42 | 26 |
The verdict
University Park carries the higher median price — about 34% above Lake Forest. Homes in University Park sell faster (78 days on market vs 86). University Park is the tighter market on inventory (1.8 months of supply).
Where each one is
Lake Forest and University Park are about 4 miles apart (straight-line, center to center) and share Duval County.
| Lake Forest | University Park | |
|---|---|---|
| County | Duval County, FL | Duval County, FL |
| City / area | Jacksonville | Jacksonville |
| ZIP | 32208 | 32277 |
| Straight-line to downtown Jacksonville | 4 mi | 4 mi |
| Nearest Atlantic beach | 16 mi, Huguenot Park (Jacksonville) | 12 mi, Huguenot Park (Jacksonville) |
| FEMA flood zones (sampled parcels) | 90% of 21 homes outside a flood zone (Zone X) | all 14 sampled homes outside a flood zone |
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
| Lake Forest | University Park | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes for sale now | 8 | 4 |
| Under contract | 4 | 1 |
| Asking prices today | $125K to $275K | $315K to $399K |
| Property types listed | Single Family Residence | Single Family Residence |
Live MLS counts, refreshed with every listing pull. Browse them: Lake Forest homes for sale · University Park homes for sale.
The homes themselves
| Lake Forest | University Park | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes (parcels) | 412 | 101 |
| Built | 1924–2023 (median 1949) | 1958–2019 (median 1961) |
| Typical living area | 1,481 sq ft | 1,960 sq ft |
| Homesteaded (owner-occupied) share | 51% | 70% |
| Vacant lots | 5 | 1 |
Housing-stock figures from the Florida Department of Revenue 2025 assessment roll (public records).
How each one trades
| Lake Forest | University Park | |
|---|---|---|
| Sale-to-original-list | 94.0% | 96.8% |
| New-construction share of sales | 0% | 0% |
| Typical sold home | 1,650 sq ft | 1,735 sq ft |
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
| Lake Forest | University Park | |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary | North Shore | Fort Caroline |
| Middle | Matthew Gilbert | Arlington |
| High school | Jean Ribault | Terry Parker |
The school most often recorded on each community's MLS listings. Always confirm a specific address with the district.
Which one fits
On budget alone, Lake Forest is the lower entry point (median $216K vs $289K). Buyers who want newer construction (fewer near-term roof, HVAC and re-plumb items, and easier insurance quotes in Florida) will find it in University Park; Lake Forest trades that for a more established street and, typically, larger lots. Sellers get a faster sale in University Park (78 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 University Park more expensive than Lake Forest?
Yes, on recent sales: the median sale price in University Park is $289,000 versus $216,000 in Lake Forest, about 34% higher.
How far apart are Lake Forest and University Park?
About 4 miles straight-line, center to center, both in Duval County; driving distance is usually 15 to 30 percent more.
Which has newer homes, Lake Forest or University Park?
University Park: its homes were built 1958–2019 with a median year of 1961, versus a median of 1949 in Lake Forest (Florida DOR assessment roll).
Which has bigger homes?
University Park. The typical home there is 1,960 sq ft of living area, versus 1,481 sq ft in Lake Forest.
Where do sellers get closer to asking price?
University Park — sellers there received 96.8% of the original list price over the last 12 months versus 94.0% in Lake Forest.
What high schools serve Lake Forest and University Park?
Listings in Lake Forest most often report Jean Ribault; listings in University Park report Terry Parker. Zoning is set by the district and can change - verify by address.
Go deeper on each: Lake Forest homes, photos & schools · University Park homes, photos & schools
Figures are aggregates from realMLS / DBAAR, updated regularly. Thinking about either? Talk to Momentum Realty.