Gardner, MA 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.
Gardner
66.9
#1484 nationally
Lake Forest
66.3
#1557 nationally
Lake Forest leads in crime level (0.6 vs 9.0). Lake Forest leads in median household income ($202,153 vs $56,974). Gardner leads in walk score (39 vs 18).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Gardner, MA | Lake Forest, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.9 (#1484) | 66.3 (#1557) |
| Population | 20,974 | 19,354 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $379,602 | $1,246,873 |
| Median Household Income | $56,974 | $202,153 |
| Average Commute | 31.7 min | 34.5 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 18 |
| Crime Level | 9.0 | 0.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 109 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.0 | D+20.8 |
D
66.9 Score
Gardner, MA
Small Massachusetts city with local appeal
Median Home
$379,602
Population
20,974
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
39
Northeast
View Gardner, MA →
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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