Lake Forest, IL vs West Des Moines, IA
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
West Des Moines
77.1
#283 nationally
Lake Forest leads in crime level (0.6 vs 4.5). Lake Forest leads in median household income ($202,153 vs $82,345). West Des Moines leads in average commute (17.8 min vs 34.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lake Forest, IL | West Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.3 (#1557) | 77.1 (#283) |
| Population | 19,354 | 72,205 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,246,873 | $325,031 |
| Median Household Income | $202,153 | $82,345 |
| Average Commute | 34.5 min | 17.8 min |
| Walk Score | 18 | 34 |
| Crime Level | 0.6 | 4.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 103 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+20.8 | D+10.9 |
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+
77.1 Score
West Des Moines, IA
Iowa community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$325,031
Population
72,205
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
34
Midwest
View West Des Moines, IA →
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