Duarte, 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.
Duarte
63.7
#1745 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Duarte leads in crime level (6.8 vs 21.5). Duarte leads in median household income ($93,908 vs $59,233). Merced leads in cost of living index (121 vs 154).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Duarte, CA | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.7 (#1745) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 23,131 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $797,218 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $93,908 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 30 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 6.8 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 154 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | R+4.4 |
D
63.7 Score
Duarte, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$797,218
Population
23,131
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
48
Pacific
View Duarte, 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 →