Grand Rapids, MI 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.
Grand Rapids
73.4
#738 nationally
Lake Forest
66.3
#1557 nationally
Lake Forest leads in median household income ($202,153 vs $54,789). Grand Rapids leads in walk score (52 vs 18). Grand Rapids leads in cost of living index (91 vs 178).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Lake Forest, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.4 (#738) | 66.3 (#1557) |
| Population | 201,013 | 19,354 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $311,699 | $1,246,873 |
| Median Household Income | $54,789 | $202,153 |
| Average Commute | 21.2 min | 34.5 min |
| Walk Score | 52 | 18 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 0.6 |
| School Rating | 6.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+5.4 | D+20.8 |
C
73.4 Score
Grand Rapids, MI
Beer City USA with West Michigan charm
Median Home
$311,699
Population
201,013
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Midwest
View Grand Rapids, MI →
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 Grand Rapids for: