Lake Forest, IL vs Naperville, 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.
Lake Forest
66.3
#1557 nationally
Naperville
75.7
#429 nationally
Lake Forest leads in crime level (0.6 vs 9.3). Naperville leads in walk score (46 vs 18). Naperville leads in cost of living index (112 vs 178).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lake Forest, IL | Naperville, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.3 (#1557) | 75.7 (#429) |
| Population | 19,354 | 149,424 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,246,873 | $629,473 |
| Median Household Income | $202,153 | $150,937 |
| Average Commute | 34.5 min | 29.4 min |
| Walk Score | 18 | 46 |
| Crime Level | 0.6 | 9.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | 9.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 112 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+20.8 | D+13.3 |
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 →
C
75.7 Score
Naperville, IL
Where families thrive and communities flourish
Median Home
$629,473
Population
149,424
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A+
Midwest
View Naperville, IL →
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