Ithaca, NY vs Wake Forest, NC
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.
Wake Forest
68.8
#1286 nationally
Ithaca leads in walk score (72 vs 20). Wake Forest leads in median household income ($115,159 vs $45,468). Ithaca leads in average commute (18.4 min vs 31.7 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Ithaca, NY | Wake Forest, NC |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,724 | 54,337 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $0 | $513,720 |
| Median Household Income | $45,468 | $115,159 |
| Average Commute | 18.4 min | 31.7 min |
| Walk Score | 72 | 20 |
| Crime Level | 5.4 | 4.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 117 | 116 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+50.6 | D+25.6 |
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Score
Ithaca, NY
Small New York city with local appeal
Population
32,724
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
72
Median Income
$45,468
Northeast
View Ithaca, NY →
D+
68.8 Score
Wake Forest, NC
North Carolina community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$513,720
Population
54,337
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
20
Southeast
View Wake Forest, NC →