2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Lake Forest, IL vs Madison, WI

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Highlights
Are people in Madison older or younger than people in Lake Forest?
- The Median Age in Madison is 14.9 years younger than in Lake Forest.

Are housing costs cheaper in Madison or Lake Forest?
- Madison housing costs are 62.4% less expensive than Lake Forest housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Madison or Lake Forest?
- The average commute for residents of Madison is 11.8 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 Madison?
Madison, Wisconsin is a vibrant city with a unique mix of culture and history. Take a stroll through State Street and explore the city's many art galleries, bookstores and some of the best restaurants in the Midwest. Visit University of Wisconsin-Madison for some stunning architecture and inspiring scientific research, or take in an outdoor concert at Breese Stevens Field. With its beautiful lakeshore backdrop, lively farmers markets, and incredible cultural events,Madison is an ideal place to live and visit!

 Lake Forest, ILMadison, WIUnited States
 Population  Unlock265,447329,725,481
 Median Income$194,267  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock31.538.4
 Avg. Home Price$898,600  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock3.3%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 Madison    78 Reviews

Unfortunately, a number of these reviews are politically based. Madison remains the only shining star in Wisconsin’s economy. The economy is broadly based, with  More

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Have been living in Madison for almost 3 years. It’s very safe, ppl generally friendly and for a town of its size it has fair number of good restaurants and interesting  More

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Lacks balance and zero accountability.   More

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