2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Palo Alto, CA vs Lake Forest, IL

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Highlights
Are people in Lake Forest older or younger than people in Palo Alto?
- The Median Age in Lake Forest is 4.6 years older than in Palo Alto.

Are housing costs cheaper in Lake Forest or Palo Alto?
- Lake Forest housing costs are 71.1% less expensive than Palo Alto housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Lake Forest or Palo Alto?
- The average commute for residents of Lake Forest is 7.0 minutes longer than it is for residents of Palo Alto.

Things to do in Palo Alto?
Palo Alto, California is a vibrant city nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley. Home to Stanford University and various tech giants such as Google, Apple, and Facebook, it has long been known as the epicenter for cutting-edge technology and innovative thinking. Residents here enjoy warm weather year round, excellent public schools, a thriving nightlife scene, plus vast amounts of green space perfect for hiking, biking or horseback riding. There's also no shortage of culture with world class museums and galleries showcasing some of the area’s most celebrated artworks. With its abundant resources and booming economy, Palo Alto truly offers something for everyone!

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.

 Palo Alto, CALake Forest, ILUnited States
 Population  Unlock19,450329,725,481
 Median Income$194,782  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock46.438.4
 Avg. Home Price$3,107,600  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock6.4%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time24.23  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Palo Alto    8 Reviews

The Bay Area in general, but Palo Alto specifically provides many of the qualities sought by many; the climate is beautiful, there is access to cultural and recreational  More

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Over 17 years ago

Very  More

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Over 18 years ago

VTA and SamsTrans and Caltrain all provide good service and most times frequency of service is  More

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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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