Lake Forest, IL vs Worcester, MA
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.
Lake Forest
66.3
#1557 nationally
Worcester
66.6
#1530 nationally
Lake Forest leads in median household income ($202,153 vs $52,891). Worcester leads in walk score (62 vs 18). Worcester leads in cost of living index (108 vs 178).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lake Forest, IL | Worcester, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.3 (#1557) | 66.6 (#1530) |
| Population | 19,354 | 206,518 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,246,873 | $441,802 |
| Median Household Income | $202,153 | $52,891 |
| Average Commute | 34.5 min | 26.4 min |
| Walk Score | 18 | 62 |
| Crime Level | 0.6 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 108 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+20.8 | D+10.0 |
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 →
D
66.6 Score
Worcester, MA
Heart of the Commonwealth
Median Home
$441,802
Population
206,518
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Northeast
View Worcester, MA →
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