Bakersfield, 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.
Bakersfield
66.5
#1531 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Bakersfield leads in crime level (15.2 vs 21.5). Bakersfield leads in median household income ($73,827 vs $59,233). Bakersfield leads in average commute (23.6 min vs 27 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.5 (#1531) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 413,381 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $391,030 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $73,827 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 23.6 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 37 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 15.2 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 123 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+21.1 | R+4.4 |
D
66.5 Score
Bakersfield, CA
Growing California city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$391,030
Population
413,381
Crime
High
Walk Score
37
Pacific
View Bakersfield, 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 →