Cary, NC vs Oak 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.
Cary
72.1
#924 nationally
Oak Forest
77.2
#270 nationally
Cary leads in average commute (22.8 min vs 32.3 min). Cary leads in median household income ($125,317 vs $89,758). Oak Forest leads in walk score (36 vs 28).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cary, NC | Oak Forest, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#924) | 77.2 (#270) |
| Population | 180,010 | 26,199 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $628,913 | $303,574 |
| Median Household Income | $125,317 | $89,758 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 32.3 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 36 |
| Crime Level | 1.9 | 2.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 104 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.6 | D+42.0 |
C-
72.1 Score
Cary, NC
Mid-size North Carolina city with community character
Median Home
$628,913
Population
180,010
Crime
Low
Walk Score
28
Southeast
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C+
77.2 Score
Oak Forest, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$303,574
Population
26,199
Crime
Low
Walk Score
36
Midwest
View Oak Forest, IL →