Fort Collins, CO 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.
Fort Collins
69.4
#1216 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Fort Collins leads in average commute (20.8 min vs 27 min). Fort Collins leads in median household income ($74,126 vs $59,233). Fort Collins leads in cost of living index (114 vs 121).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1216) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 174,851 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $565,732 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $74,126 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 20.8 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 42 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | 21.5 |
| School Rating | 7.6 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 114 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+17.6 | R+4.4 |
D+
69.4 Score
Fort Collins, CO
College town with craft beer culture
Median Home
$565,732
Population
174,851
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
B+
West
View Fort Collins, CO →
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 →