Johnston, IA 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.
Johnston
76
#397 nationally
Wake Forest
68.8
#1286 nationally
Johnston leads in crime level (2.1 vs 4.0). Johnston leads in average commute (18.3 min vs 31.7 min). Wake Forest leads in median household income ($115,159 vs $98,324).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Johnston, IA | Wake Forest, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76 (#397) | 68.8 (#1286) |
| Population | 24,640 | 54,337 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $402,429 | $513,720 |
| Median Household Income | $98,324 | $115,159 |
| Average Commute | 18.3 min | 31.7 min |
| Walk Score | 21 | 20 |
| Crime Level | 2.1 | 4.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 116 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.9 | D+25.6 |
C
76 Score
Johnston, IA
Small Iowa city with local appeal
Median Home
$402,429
Population
24,640
Crime
Low
Walk Score
21
Midwest
View Johnston, IA →
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 →
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