Fort Smith, AR vs Lake 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.
Fort Smith
76.3
#361 nationally
Lake Forest
66.3
#1557 nationally
Lake Forest leads in crime level (0.6 vs 23.1). Lake Forest leads in median household income ($202,153 vs $50,799). Fort Smith leads in average commute (16.8 min vs 34.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Lake Forest, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.3 (#361) | 66.3 (#1557) |
| Population | 89,770 | 19,354 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $195,761 | $1,246,873 |
| Median Household Income | $50,799 | $202,153 |
| Average Commute | 16.8 min | 34.5 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 18 |
| Crime Level | 23.1 | 0.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+37.5 | D+20.8 |
C
76.3 Score
Fort Smith, AR
Arkansas community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$195,761
Population
89,770
Crime
High
Walk Score
35
Southwest
View Fort Smith, AR →
D
66.3 Score
Lake Forest, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,246,873
Population
19,354
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
18
Midwest
View Lake Forest, IL →
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