Forest Lake, MN vs Plano, TX
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
Plano
72.6
#865 nationally
Plano leads in walk score (39 vs 18). Plano leads in median household income ($99,936 vs $91,157). Plano leads in cost of living index (107 vs 114).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Forest Lake, MN | Plano, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71.7 (#964) | 72.6 (#865) |
| Population | 20,685 | 287,339 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $432,441 | $499,723 |
| Median Household Income | $91,157 | $99,936 |
| Average Commute | 26.9 min | 27.6 min |
| Walk Score | 18 | 39 |
| Crime Level | 3.3 | Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 8.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 114 | 107 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+8.9 | R+11.2 |
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 →
C-
72.6 Score
Plano, TX
Corporate opportunity meets family-friendly living
Median Home
$499,723
Population
287,339
Crime
Low
Schools
A
Southwest
View Plano, TX →