Columbus, IN 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.
Columbus
81.7
#37 nationally
Oak Forest
77.2
#270 nationally
Columbus leads in crime level (0.4 vs 2.4). Columbus leads in average commute (18.1 min vs 32.3 min). Oak Forest leads in walk score (36 vs 29).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbus, IN | Oak Forest, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 81.7 (#37) | 77.2 (#270) |
| Population | 51,522 | 26,199 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $281,533 | $303,574 |
| Median Household Income | $75,114 | $89,758 |
| Average Commute | 18.1 min | 32.3 min |
| Walk Score | 29 | 36 |
| Crime Level | 0.4 | 2.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 96 | 104 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+27.3 | D+42.0 |
B-
81.7 Score
Columbus, IN
Indiana community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$281,533
Population
51,522
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
29
Midwest
View Columbus, IN →
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 →
Try a different matchup
Swap Columbus for: