Evanston, IL 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.
Evanston
74.7
#562 nationally
Oak Forest
77.2
#270 nationally
Evanston leads in walk score (76 vs 36). Oak Forest leads in crime level (2.4 vs 3.9). Oak Forest leads in cost of living index (104 vs 131).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Evanston, IL | Oak Forest, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.7 (#562) | 77.2 (#270) |
| Population | 75,070 | 26,199 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $494,604 | $303,574 |
| Median Household Income | $93,188 | $89,758 |
| Average Commute | 29 min | 32.3 min |
| Walk Score | 76 | 36 |
| Crime Level | 3.9 | 2.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 131 | 104 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | D+42.0 |
C
74.7 Score
Evanston, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$494,604
Population
75,070
Crime
Low
Walk Score
76
Midwest
View Evanston, IL →
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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