Buffalo Grove, IL 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.
Buffalo Grove
77.6
#229 nationally
Lake Forest
66.3
#1557 nationally
Buffalo Grove leads in walk score (40 vs 18). Lake Forest leads in median household income ($202,153 vs $127,553). Buffalo Grove leads in cost of living index (126 vs 178).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Buffalo Grove, IL | Lake Forest, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.6 (#229) | 66.3 (#1557) |
| Population | 42,482 | 19,354 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $452,107 | $1,246,873 |
| Median Household Income | $127,553 | $202,153 |
| Average Commute | 28.8 min | 34.5 min |
| Walk Score | 40 | 18 |
| Crime Level | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 126 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+20.8 | D+20.8 |
C+
77.6 Score
Buffalo Grove, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$452,107
Population
42,482
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
40
Midwest
View Buffalo Grove, IL →
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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