Forest Lake, MN vs Madera, CA
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
Madera
65.3
#1641 nationally
Forest Lake leads in crime level (3.3 vs 10.8). Madera leads in walk score (42 vs 18). Forest Lake leads in median household income ($91,157 vs $61,626).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Forest Lake, MN | Madera, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71.7 (#964) | 65.3 (#1641) |
| Population | 20,685 | 68,079 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $432,441 | $426,523 |
| Median Household Income | $91,157 | $61,626 |
| Average Commute | 26.9 min | 28.3 min |
| Walk Score | 18 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 3.3 | 10.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 114 | 119 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+8.9 | R+20.8 |
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
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D
65.3 Score
Madera, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$426,523
Population
68,079
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
42
Pacific
View Madera, CA →