Columbia Heights, MN 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.
Columbia Heights
74.9
#527 nationally
Forest Lake
71.7
#964 nationally
Columbia Heights leads in walk score (53 vs 18). Forest Lake leads in crime level (3.3 vs 8.8). Forest Lake leads in median household income ($91,157 vs $70,470).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbia Heights, MN | Forest Lake, MN |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.9 (#527) | 71.7 (#964) |
| Population | 22,278 | 20,685 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $303,089 | $432,441 |
| Median Household Income | $70,470 | $91,157 |
| Average Commute | 24.2 min | 26.9 min |
| Walk Score | 53 | 18 |
| Crime Level | 8.8 | 3.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 114 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+4.4 | D+8.9 |
C
74.9 Score
Columbia Heights, MN
Small Minnesota city with local appeal
Median Home
$303,089
Population
22,278
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
53
Midwest
View Columbia Heights, MN →
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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