Independence, KY 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.
Independence
77
#288 nationally
Lake Forest
66.3
#1557 nationally
Lake Forest leads in median household income ($202,153 vs $92,355). Independence leads in cost of living index (96 vs 178). Lake Forest leads in walk score (18 vs 11).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Independence, KY | Lake Forest, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77 (#288) | 66.3 (#1557) |
| Population | 29,503 | 19,354 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $331,613 | $1,246,873 |
| Median Household Income | $92,355 | $202,153 |
| Average Commute | 27.4 min | 34.5 min |
| Walk Score | 11 | 18 |
| Crime Level | 0.7 | 0.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 96 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+21.7 | D+20.8 |
C+
77 Score
Independence, KY
Small Kentucky city with local appeal
Median Home
$331,613
Population
29,503
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
11
Southeast
View Independence, KY →
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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