Boston, MA 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.
Boston
66.2
#1568 nationally
Forest Lake
71.7
#964 nationally
Boston leads in walk score (83 vs 18). Forest Lake leads in cost of living index (114 vs 155). Forest Lake leads in average commute (26.9 min vs 30.2 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Forest Lake, MN |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 71.7 (#964) |
| Population | 684,379 | 20,685 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $432,441 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $91,157 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 26.9 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 18 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 3.3 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 114 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+8.9 |
D
66.2 Score
Boston, MA
Innovation hub with historic charm
Median Home
$787,763
Population
684,379
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Northeast
View Boston, MA →
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 →