Commute
An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.
Cost Of Living
Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.
Crime
Crime per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the national average, making it a safe place to live. These crime statistics include both violent and property crimes.
Employment
Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.
Amenities
The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.
Located in the state of Illinois, Oak Forest is a mid-sized city with a population of 28,144 people. With a population density of 4,693 people per square mile, Oak Forest is well above the nation's average density level. At 80%, the majority of the Oak Forest population is White; this is followed by 6% Black and 5% Asian. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in Oak Forest offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 32 minutes.
Are you trying to ascertain if living in Oak Forest is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a fulfilling experience before relocating to any new city in Illinois, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. To help you find the best places to live in and around Oak Forest, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, crime, education, employment and more.
Oak Forest has a livability score of 81/100 and is ranked #57 in Illinois and #1,215 in the USA. Compared to the US average, Oak Forest ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Oak Forest also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! Based on the scores for each individual category, Oak Forest has received high marks for employment (A+) and housing (A+). On a more negative note, Oak Forest does not have favorable ranks for the following: amenities (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Oak Forest has a violent crime rate of 89 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Oak Forest can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
Assuming that Oak Forest meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Oak Forest. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Oak Forest are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Oak Forest come in at $357,389, which is 15.8% higher than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Oak Forest, the home price to income ratio is 3.1, which is 11.4% lower than the Illinois average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Oak Forest | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 32min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 76.7% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 6.5% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 7.5% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.7% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.3% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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