Decatur, GA 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.
Decatur
83.8
#11 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Decatur leads in crime level (3.6 vs 21.5). Decatur leads in median household income ($129,992 vs $59,233). Decatur leads in walk score (60 vs 42).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Decatur, GA | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 83.8 (#11) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 24,307 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $282,512 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $129,992 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 26.8 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 60 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 3.6 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 147 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+64.8 | R+4.4 |
B
83.8 Score
Decatur, GA
Small Georgia city with local appeal
Median Home
$282,512
Population
24,307
Crime
Low
Walk Score
60
Southeast
View Decatur, GA →
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 →