Moving to Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest at a glance

State

Illinois

County

Lake

Property tax (effective)

1.87% (source, estimate)

Sales tax (combined)

8.25% (source)

Typical home value

$1,248,000 (+10.7% in a year; Zillow Home Value Index, August 2026)

Living in Lake Forest: taxes compared

Compare what you'd pay in Lake Forest with a town across the state line, at your own income and home price: open the Wisconsin vs. Illinois calculator with Lake Forest selected.

Because of the Wisconsin–Illinois reciprocity agreement, your wages are taxed by the state you live in, wherever your job is.

Lake Forest schools

Public school district(s): Lake Forest SD 67; Lake Forest CHSD 115

Public schools enroll by home address, so check the district for any house you consider. Official data for every district and school: Illinois Report Card (Illinois State Board of Education).

Commuting from Lake Forest

• Metra UP-N from Lake Forest to Ogilvie Transportation Center: 56 min–1 hr 6 min
• Metra MD-N from Lake Forest to Chicago Union Station: 51 min–1 hr 5 min

• Drive to downtown Milwaukee: about 1 hr 5 min
• Drive to the Chicago Loop: about 45 min

Off-peak estimates; allow more time at rush hour. · Train times: Metra schedules

Read the commuting guide

Homes for sale in Lake Forest

Tell us your budget and timeline and we'll send current listings in Lake Forest that fit.

Nearby towns

• Lake Bluff, IL · Lake County
• Libertyville, IL · Lake County
• Gurnee, IL · Lake County
• Waukegan, IL · Lake County
• Highland Park, IL · Lake County
• Deerfield, IL · Lake County

All towns