Forest Lake, MN vs Mountain View, CA
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.
Forest Lake
71.7
#964 nationally
Mountain View
63.3
#1779 nationally
Mountain View leads in walk score (66 vs 18). Forest Lake leads in crime level (3.3 vs 8.4). Forest Lake leads in cost of living index (114 vs 285).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Forest Lake, MN | Mountain View, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71.7 (#964) | 63.3 (#1779) |
| Population | 20,685 | 81,785 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $432,441 | $1,962,774 |
| Median Household Income | $91,157 | $174,156 |
| Average Commute | 26.9 min | 24.2 min |
| Walk Score | 18 | 66 |
| Crime Level | 3.3 | 8.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 114 | 285 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+8.9 | D+40.0 |
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 →
D
63.3 Score
Mountain View, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,962,774
Population
81,785
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
66
Pacific
View Mountain View, CA →
Try a different matchup
Swap Forest Lake for: