2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Chicago, IL vs Lake Forest, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Lake Forest older or younger than people in Chicago?
- The Median Age in Lake Forest is 5.0 years older than in Chicago.

Are housing costs cheaper in Lake Forest or Chicago?
- Lake Forest housing costs are 230.0% more expensive than Chicago housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Lake Forest or Chicago?
- The average commute for residents of Lake Forest is 8.6 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Chicago.

Things to do in Chicago?
Chicago, Illinois is an American icon. Located along the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan, it's a vibrant city with an energy like no other. It's renowned for its world-class museums and galleries, rich history and stunning architecture. With hundreds of parks and beaches to explore, amazing restaurants to sample, and a bustling nightlife scene - Chicago has something for everyone! It's the home of diverse cultures and international events, making it one of the most unique cities in the US.

Things to do in Lake Forest?
Lake Forest, California markets itself as the ultimate Southern California lifestyle with numerous parks, shopping centers, and miles of trails giving visitors plenty of options for an active lifestyle.

 Chicago, ILLake Forest, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock85,516329,725,481
 Median Income$65,781  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock40.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$284,100  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.6%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time34.63  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Chicago    270 Reviews

I've lived in Chicago city and later moved to suburbs when family size increased. Absolutely love this city. This is the cleanest and most beautiful among the major  More

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Chicago is probably the best value in a major city that you can find and my personal favorite city. It will become increasingly important as climate change makes the  More

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I've live on north side and south side, UIC medical center. Don't move here go to the north side. No good amenities, if you get bored with one there is no other choices.  More

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Reviews for Lake Forest    16 Reviews

I've lived in Lake Forest for over a decade, before that elsewhere in OC and also up in LA. Lake Forest isn't perfect but it's really improved over the past decade,  More

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As a retired senior who has lived in Lake Forest (formerly El Toro) since 1977 I think LF is a great place if you can afford it. When we moved here in June '77 homes  More

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I’ve lived here for 2 years. Ok, it’s more like a 4 but there are so many idiots downplaying what it’s like here and giving Lake Forest ones and twos. There are a lot of  More

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