East Chicago, IN 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.
East Chicago
77.8
#215 nationally
Forest Lake
71.7
#964 nationally
Forest Lake leads in crime level (3.3 vs 22.6). East Chicago leads in walk score (56 vs 18). Forest Lake leads in median household income ($91,157 vs $39,434).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | East Chicago, IN | Forest Lake, MN |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.8 (#215) | 71.7 (#964) |
| Population | 25,830 | 20,685 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $129,375 | $432,441 |
| Median Household Income | $39,434 | $91,157 |
| Average Commute | 22.9 min | 26.9 min |
| Walk Score | 56 | 18 |
| Crime Level | 22.6 | 3.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 82 | 114 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+5.6 | D+8.9 |
C+
77.8 Score
East Chicago, IN
Small Indiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$129,375
Population
25,830
Crime
High
Walk Score
56
Midwest
View East Chicago, IN →
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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