2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Lake Forest, IL vs Winnetka, IL

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Highlights
Are people in Winnetka older or younger than people in Lake Forest?
- The Median Age in Winnetka is 3.8 years younger than in Lake Forest.

Are housing costs cheaper in Winnetka or Lake Forest?
- Winnetka housing costs are 50.0% more expensive than Lake Forest housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Winnetka or Lake Forest?
- The average commute for residents of Winnetka is 5.8 minutes longer 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 Winnetka?
Winnetka, Illinois is a vibrant village located in the northern suburbs of Chicago. The area offers plenty of activities for all kinds of interests, from shopping and dining to sports and recreation. Winnetka residents also have access to excellent educational opportunities, with pre-Kindergarten through college prep courses available at top schools. Nature lovers can explore the Lake Michigan shoreline or numerous parks and forest preserves nearby. Winnetka is perfect for those looking for an urban lifestyle that still retains its small-town charm!

 Lake Forest, ILWinnetka, ILUnited States
 Population  Unlock12,658329,725,481
 Median Income$194,267  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock42.638.4
 Avg. Home Price$898,600  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock8.4%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 Winnetka    2 Reviews

Having had children attend both public and private schools. I would say the private schools are better. While the public schools are fine, there isn't any way to measure  More

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This idyllic, leafy, close-in suburb north of Chicago comes straight out of a Frank Capra (or John Hughes - see Home Alone for a view of the housing stock and  More

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