Forest Lake, MN vs Independence, MO
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.
Forest Lake
71.7
#964 nationally
Independence
73.6
#702 nationally
Forest Lake leads in crime level (3.3 vs 15.6). Forest Lake leads in median household income ($91,157 vs $57,415). Independence leads in walk score (28 vs 18).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Forest Lake, MN | Independence, MO |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71.7 (#964) | 73.6 (#702) |
| Population | 20,685 | 120,922 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $432,441 | $214,173 |
| Median Household Income | $91,157 | $57,415 |
| Average Commute | 26.9 min | 23.9 min |
| Walk Score | 18 | 28 |
| Crime Level | 3.3 | 15.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 114 | 90 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+8.9 | D+19.3 |
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 →
C
73.6 Score
Independence, MO
Mid-size Missouri city with community character
Median Home
$214,173
Population
120,922
Crime
High
Walk Score
28
Midwest
View Independence, MO →
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