Lake Forest, IL vs Wake Forest, NC
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
Wake Forest
68.8
#1286 nationally
Lake Forest leads in crime level (0.6 vs 4.0). Lake Forest leads in median household income ($202,153 vs $115,159). Wake Forest leads in cost of living index (116 vs 178).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lake Forest, IL | Wake Forest, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.3 (#1557) | 68.8 (#1286) |
| Population | 19,354 | 54,337 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,246,873 | $513,720 |
| Median Household Income | $202,153 | $115,159 |
| Average Commute | 34.5 min | 31.7 min |
| Walk Score | 18 | 20 |
| Crime Level | 0.6 | 4.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 116 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+20.8 | D+25.6 |
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+
68.8 Score
Wake Forest, NC
North Carolina community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$513,720
Population
54,337
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
20
Southeast
View Wake Forest, NC →
Try a different matchup
Swap Lake Forest for: