Brookings, SD vs Forest Lake, MN
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.
Brookings
77.7
#220 nationally
Forest Lake
71.7
#964 nationally
Brookings leads in walk score (39 vs 18). Brookings leads in average commute (12.6 min vs 26.9 min). Forest Lake leads in median household income ($91,157 vs $57,824).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Brookings, SD | Forest Lake, MN |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.7 (#220) | 71.7 (#964) |
| Population | 24,312 | 20,685 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $327,724 | $432,441 |
| Median Household Income | $57,824 | $91,157 |
| Average Commute | 12.6 min | 26.9 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 18 |
| Crime Level | 2.3 | 3.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 97 | 114 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+17.4 | D+8.9 |
C+
77.7 Score
Brookings, SD
Small South Dakota city with local appeal
Median Home
$327,724
Population
24,312
Crime
Low
Walk Score
39
Midwest
View Brookings, SD →
C-
71.7 Score
Forest Lake, MN
Small Minnesota city with local appeal
Median Home
$432,441
Population
20,685
Crime
Low
Walk Score
18
Midwest
View Forest Lake, MN →
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