Lake Forest, IL vs Mountain View, CA
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.
Lake Forest
66.3
#1557 nationally
Mountain View
63.3
#1779 nationally
Lake Forest leads in crime level (0.6 vs 8.4). Mountain View leads in walk score (66 vs 18). Lake Forest leads in cost of living index (178 vs 285).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lake Forest, IL | Mountain View, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.3 (#1557) | 63.3 (#1779) |
| Population | 19,354 | 81,785 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,246,873 | $1,962,774 |
| Median Household Income | $202,153 | $174,156 |
| Average Commute | 34.5 min | 24.2 min |
| Walk Score | 18 | 66 |
| Crime Level | 0.6 | 8.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 285 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+20.8 | D+40.0 |
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 →
D
63.3 Score
Mountain View, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,962,774
Population
81,785
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
66
Pacific
View Mountain View, CA →
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