Apex, NC vs Lake Forest, 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.
Apex
70.6
#1082 nationally
Lake Forest
66.3
#1557 nationally
Lake Forest leads in crime level (0.6 vs 4.7). Lake Forest leads in median household income ($202,153 vs $129,688). Apex leads in cost of living index (122 vs 178).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Apex, NC | Lake Forest, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.6 (#1082) | 66.3 (#1557) |
| Population | 72,225 | 19,354 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $601,962 | $1,246,873 |
| Median Household Income | $129,688 | $202,153 |
| Average Commute | 23.9 min | 34.5 min |
| Walk Score | 26 | 18 |
| Crime Level | 4.7 | 0.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 122 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.6 | D+20.8 |
C-
70.6 Score
Apex, NC
North Carolina community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$601,962
Population
72,225
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
26
Southeast
View Apex, NC →
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 →
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