Hawthorne, 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.
Hawthorne
60.4
#1937 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Hawthorne leads in walk score (72 vs 42). Merced leads in cost of living index (121 vs 165). Hawthorne leads in median household income ($72,298 vs $59,233).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Hawthorne, CA | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.4 (#1937) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 83,364 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $881,878 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $72,298 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 29.2 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 72 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 19.9 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 165 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | R+4.4 |
D-
60.4 Score
Hawthorne, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$881,878
Population
83,364
Crime
High
Walk Score
72
Pacific
View Hawthorne, 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 →