Dana Point, 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.
Dana Point
62.9
#1811 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Dana Point leads in crime level (5.1 vs 21.5). Dana Point leads in median household income ($119,632 vs $59,233). Merced leads in cost of living index (121 vs 207).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Dana Point, CA | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.9 (#1811) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 32,567 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,754,054 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $119,632 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 28 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 53 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 5.1 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 207 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | R+4.4 |
D-
62.9 Score
Dana Point, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,754,054
Population
32,567
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
53
Pacific
View Dana Point, 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 →
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