2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Lake Forest, IL vs Des Plaines, IL

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Highlights
Are people in Des Plaines older or younger than people in Lake Forest?
- The Median Age in Des Plaines is 4.1 years younger than in Lake Forest.

Are housing costs cheaper in Des Plaines or Lake Forest?
- Des Plaines housing costs are 70.2% less expensive than Lake Forest housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Des Plaines or Lake Forest?
- The average commute for residents of Des Plaines is 2.9 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Lake Forest.

Things to do in Lake Forest?
Lake Forest, Illinois is a vibrant city located in Lake County. With its many shops and restaurants, it’s the perfect destination for those seeking an enjoyable night out or a fun day of shopping. For outdoor fans, Lake Forest offers beautiful parks and trails, plus beaches along the shore of Lake Michigan. Families looking to move to the area can rest assured that there are multiple schools with outstanding educational programs. Lake Forest has something to offer everyone — whether you’re a nature lover or just looking for a great place to live.

Things to do in Des Plaines?
Des Plaines, Illinois is a vibrant and thriving city located just outside of Chicago. This bustling town offers a unique mix of small town charm and big city energy with plenty of shops, restaurants, parks, and attractions. There are also several concert venues, theatres, and museums to explore while in Des Plaines. Visitors can also enjoy a wide array of activities from antiquing to golfing if they're looking for something more active. Whatever you choose to do there's no doubt that Des Plaines will make your stay enjoyable!

 Lake Forest, ILDes Plaines, ILUnited States
 Population  Unlock60,413329,725,481
 Median Income$194,267  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock42.338.4
 Avg. Home Price$898,600  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock7.0%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time31.2  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Lake Forest    4 Reviews

We relocated cross county to Lake Forest about a year ago due to a job change. We looked at nearby communities, within proximity of the work commute (the office is in  More

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Be prepared for a so called upscale town with entitled, overpaid, snooty people from teenagers who sneer at you to adults who look you up and down, who make demands on a  More

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Over 15 years ago

Long cold winters, short cold springs, hot humid summers, nice  More

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Reviews for Des Plaines    4 Reviews

Over 15 years ago

low  More

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Over 16 years ago

The historic center of des plaines is also downtown. Fairly easy commute to Chicago. The metra is right there. Also there is the Des Plaines public library with a great  More

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Over 18 years ago

Changing of the seasons is good. But it's too cold for too  More

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