Chester, PA 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.
Lake Forest
66.3
#1557 nationally
Lake Forest leads in crime level (0.6 vs 22.8). Lake Forest leads in median household income ($202,153 vs $39,193). Chester leads in walk score (60 vs 18).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Chester, PA | Lake Forest, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,595 | 19,354 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $0 | $1,246,873 |
| Median Household Income | $39,193 | $202,153 |
| Average Commute | 21.7 min | 34.5 min |
| Walk Score | 60 | 18 |
| Crime Level | 22.8 | 0.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 86 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+23.7 | D+20.8 |
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Score
Chester, PA
Small Pennsylvania city with local appeal
Population
33,595
Crime
High
Walk Score
60
Median Income
$39,193
Northeast
View Chester, PA →
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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