Foster City, 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.
Foster City
63.9
#1730 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Foster City leads in crime level (1.9 vs 21.5). Foster City leads in median household income ($191,267 vs $59,233). Merced leads in cost of living index (121 vs 276).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Foster City, CA | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.9 (#1730) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 32,180 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,863,228 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $191,267 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 32.4 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 50 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 1.9 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 276 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+50.3 | R+4.4 |
D
63.9 Score
Foster City, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,863,228
Population
32,180
Crime
Low
Walk Score
50
Pacific
View Foster City, 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 →