Atwater, CA vs Merced, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Atwater
63.7
#1742 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Atwater leads in crime level (19.5 vs 21.5). Atwater leads in median household income ($64,195 vs $59,233). Merced leads in average commute (27 min vs 28.2 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Atwater, CA | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.7 (#1742) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 32,052 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $425,295 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $64,195 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 28.2 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 19.5 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 119 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+4.4 | R+4.4 |
D
63.7 Score
Atwater, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$425,295
Population
32,052
Crime
High
Walk Score
41
Pacific
View Atwater, CA →
D
64.3 Score
Merced, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$397,570
Population
93,692
Crime
High
Walk Score
42
Pacific
View Merced, CA →