Ann Arbor, MI vs Lake Forest, IL
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.
Ann Arbor
72.9
#803 nationally
Lake Forest
66.3
#1557 nationally
Ann Arbor leads in walk score (57 vs 18). Lake Forest leads in median household income ($202,153 vs $73,018). Ann Arbor leads in average commute (20.8 min vs 34.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Lake Forest, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.9 (#803) | 66.3 (#1557) |
| Population | 123,851 | 19,354 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $536,036 | $1,246,873 |
| Median Household Income | $73,018 | $202,153 |
| Average Commute | 20.8 min | 34.5 min |
| Walk Score | 57 | 18 |
| Crime Level | Low | 0.6 |
| School Rating | 8.9 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 114 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+44.4 | D+20.8 |
C-
72.9 Score
Ann Arbor, MI
A quintessential college town with big-city culture
Median Home
$536,036
Population
123,851
Crime
Low
Schools
A
Midwest
View Ann Arbor, MI →
D
66.3 Score
Lake Forest, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,246,873
Population
19,354
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
18
Midwest
View Lake Forest, IL →
Try a different matchup
Swap Ann Arbor for: