Durham, 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.
Durham
69.4
#1213 nationally
Lake Forest
66.3
#1557 nationally
Lake Forest leads in median household income ($202,153 vs $67,432). Durham leads in walk score (33 vs 18). Durham leads in cost of living index (102 vs 178).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lake Forest, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1213) | 66.3 (#1557) |
| Population | 283,506 | 19,354 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $395,976 | $1,246,873 |
| Median Household Income | $67,432 | $202,153 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 34.5 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 18 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 0.6 |
| School Rating | 6.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+61.9 | D+20.8 |
D+
69.4 Score
Durham, NC
Bull City innovation and inclusion
Median Home
$395,976
Population
283,506
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B-
Southeast
View Durham, 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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