East Palo Alto, 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.
East Palo Alto
60.5
#1931 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Merced leads in cost of living index (121 vs 213). East Palo Alto leads in median household income ($103,248 vs $59,233). East Palo Alto leads in walk score (59 vs 42).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | East Palo Alto, CA | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.5 (#1931) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 28,216 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,016,727 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $103,248 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 25.3 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 59 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 16.6 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 213 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+50.3 | R+4.4 |
D-
60.5 Score
East Palo Alto, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,016,727
Population
28,216
Crime
High
Walk Score
59
Pacific
View East Palo Alto, 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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