Golden, 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.
Golden
67.8
#1379 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Golden leads in crime level (3.4 vs 21.5). Golden leads in median household income ($90,990 vs $59,233). Merced leads in cost of living index (121 vs 152).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Golden, CO | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.8 (#1379) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 20,242 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $865,982 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $90,990 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 23.8 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 3.4 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+19.5 | R+4.4 |
D+
67.8 Score
Golden, CO
Small Colorado city with local appeal
Median Home
$865,982
Population
20,242
Crime
Low
Walk Score
42
West
View Golden, 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 →