Columbus, OH 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
76.5
#341 nationally
Oak Forest
77.2
#270 nationally
Oak Forest leads in median household income ($89,758 vs $62,889). Columbus leads in average commute (23.1 min vs 32.3 min). Columbus leads in walk score (41 vs 36).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Oak Forest, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.5 (#341) | 77.2 (#270) |
| Population | 913,175 | 26,199 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $248,686 | $303,574 |
| Median Household Income | $62,889 | $89,758 |
| Average Commute | 23.1 min | 32.3 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 36 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 2.4 |
| School Rating | 6.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 93 | 104 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+28.4 | D+42.0 |
C
76.5 Score
Columbus, OH
Ohio's capital city on the rise
Median Home
$248,686
Population
913,175
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Midwest
View Columbus, OH →
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 →
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