Gaithersburg, MD 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.
Gaithersburg
68.7
#1291 nationally
Lake Forest
66.3
#1557 nationally
Lake Forest leads in crime level (0.6 vs 6.9). Gaithersburg leads in walk score (52 vs 18). Lake Forest leads in median household income ($202,153 vs $104,544).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Gaithersburg, MD | Lake Forest, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.7 (#1291) | 66.3 (#1557) |
| Population | 69,563 | 19,354 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $522,428 | $1,246,873 |
| Median Household Income | $104,544 | $202,153 |
| Average Commute | 30.5 min | 34.5 min |
| Walk Score | 52 | 18 |
| Crime Level | 6.9 | 0.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 141 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.3 | D+20.8 |
D+
68.7 Score
Gaithersburg, MD
Maryland community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$522,428
Population
69,563
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
52
Northeast
View Gaithersburg, MD →
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 →
Try a different matchup
Swap Gaithersburg for: