Oak Ridge, TN 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.
Oak Ridge
70.4
#1105 nationally
Wake Forest
68.8
#1286 nationally
Wake Forest leads in crime level (4.0 vs 8.0). Wake Forest leads in median household income ($115,159 vs $67,152). Oak Ridge leads in average commute (23.4 min vs 31.7 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Oak Ridge, TN | Wake Forest, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.4 (#1105) | 68.8 (#1286) |
| Population | 33,397 | 54,337 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $329,586 | $513,720 |
| Median Household Income | $67,152 | $115,159 |
| Average Commute | 23.4 min | 31.7 min |
| Walk Score | 18 | 20 |
| Crime Level | 8.0 | 4.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 94 | 116 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+35.7 | D+25.6 |
C-
70.4 Score
Oak Ridge, TN
Small Tennessee city with local appeal
Median Home
$329,586
Population
33,397
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
18
Southeast
View Oak Ridge, TN →
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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