Abilene, TX vs Forest Lake, MN
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.
Abilene
77.5
#236 nationally
Forest Lake
71.7
#964 nationally
Forest Lake leads in crime level (3.3 vs 11.6). Abilene leads in average commute (15.2 min vs 26.9 min). Abilene leads in walk score (31 vs 18).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Forest Lake, MN |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.5 (#236) | 71.7 (#964) |
| Population | 129,043 | 20,685 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $222,710 | $432,441 |
| Median Household Income | $59,254 | $91,157 |
| Average Commute | 15.2 min | 26.9 min |
| Walk Score | 31 | 18 |
| Crime Level | 11.6 | 3.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 93 | 114 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+49.8 | D+8.9 |
C+
77.5 Score
Abilene, TX
Mid-size Texas city with community character
Median Home
$222,710
Population
129,043
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
31
Southwest
View Abilene, TX →
C-
71.7 Score
Forest Lake, MN
Small Minnesota city with local appeal
Median Home
$432,441
Population
20,685
Crime
Low
Walk Score
18
Midwest
View Forest Lake, MN →