Forest Lake, MN vs Sioux Falls, SD
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
Sioux Falls
75.5
#452 nationally
Sioux Falls leads in walk score (38 vs 18). Sioux Falls leads in average commute (17.8 min vs 26.9 min). Forest Lake leads in median household income ($91,157 vs $68,921).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Forest Lake, MN | Sioux Falls, SD |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71.7 (#964) | 75.5 (#452) |
| Population | 20,685 | 205,992 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $432,441 | $336,110 |
| Median Household Income | $91,157 | $68,921 |
| Average Commute | 26.9 min | 17.8 min |
| Walk Score | 18 | 38 |
| Crime Level | 3.3 | Moderate-Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 7.6 |
| Cost of Living Index | 114 | 92 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+8.9 | R+12.7 |
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
75.5 Score
Sioux Falls, SD
Rising star of the Northern Plains
Median Home
$336,110
Population
205,992
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
B+
Midwest
View Sioux Falls, SD →