Forest Lake, MN vs Montgomery, 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.
Forest Lake
71.7
#964 nationally
Montgomery
75
#518 nationally
Forest Lake leads in average commute (26.9 min vs 33.7 min). Forest Lake leads in walk score (18 vs 15). Montgomery leads in median household income ($105,240 vs $91,157).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Forest Lake, MN | Montgomery, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71.7 (#964) | 75 (#518) |
| Population | 20,685 | 21,955 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $432,441 | $336,140 |
| Median Household Income | $91,157 | $105,240 |
| Average Commute | 26.9 min | 33.7 min |
| Walk Score | 18 | 15 |
| Crime Level | 3.3 | 3.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 114 | 109 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+8.9 | D+1.5 |
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
75 Score
Montgomery, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$336,140
Population
21,955
Crime
Low
Walk Score
15
Midwest
View Montgomery, IL →
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