Baytown, TX 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.
Baytown
73.1
#780 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Baytown leads in crime level (12.1 vs 21.5). Baytown leads in cost of living index (93 vs 121). Merced leads in walk score (42 vs 33).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Baytown, TX | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.1 (#780) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 84,067 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $246,742 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $61,158 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 25.9 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 12.1 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 93 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+5.5 | R+4.4 |
C
73.1 Score
Baytown, TX
Texas community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$246,742
Population
84,067
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
33
Southwest
View Baytown, TX →
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 →