Chaska, MN 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.
Chaska
72
#932 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Chaska leads in crime level (2.3 vs 21.5). Merced leads in walk score (42 vs 22). Chaska leads in median household income ($99,988 vs $59,233).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Chaska, MN | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72 (#932) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 29,034 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $489,346 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $99,988 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 24.4 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 22 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 2.3 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 114 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+5.4 | R+4.4 |
C-
72 Score
Chaska, MN
Small Minnesota city with local appeal
Median Home
$489,346
Population
29,034
Crime
Low
Walk Score
22
Midwest
View Chaska, MN →
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 →