Des Plaines, IL vs Lake 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.
Des Plaines
76.4
#348 nationally
Lake Forest
66.3
#1557 nationally
Lake Forest leads in crime level (0.6 vs 3.3). Des Plaines leads in walk score (57 vs 18). Lake Forest leads in median household income ($202,153 vs $86,552).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Des Plaines, IL | Lake Forest, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.4 (#348) | 66.3 (#1557) |
| Population | 58,010 | 19,354 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $360,725 | $1,246,873 |
| Median Household Income | $86,552 | $202,153 |
| Average Commute | 29.9 min | 34.5 min |
| Walk Score | 57 | 18 |
| Crime Level | 3.3 | 0.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | D+20.8 |
C
76.4 Score
Des Plaines, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$360,725
Population
58,010
Crime
Low
Walk Score
57
Midwest
View Des Plaines, IL →
D
66.3 Score
Lake Forest, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,246,873
Population
19,354
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
18
Midwest
View Lake Forest, IL →
Try a different matchup
Swap Des Plaines for: