Baltimore, MD 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.
Baltimore
75.5
#444 nationally
Lake Forest
66.3
#1557 nationally
Lake Forest leads in crime level (0.6 vs 44.0). Baltimore leads in walk score (64 vs 18). Lake Forest leads in median household income ($202,153 vs $58,349).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Lake Forest, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75.5 (#444) | 66.3 (#1557) |
| Population | 565,239 | 19,354 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $189,754 | $1,246,873 |
| Median Household Income | $58,349 | $202,153 |
| Average Commute | 30.1 min | 34.5 min |
| Walk Score | 64 | 18 |
| Crime Level | 44.0 | 0.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+13.9 | D+20.8 |
C
75.5 Score
Baltimore, MD
Major Maryland city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$189,754
Population
565,239
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
64
Northeast
View Baltimore, MD →
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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