Hemet, 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.
Hemet
60.8
#1922 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Hemet leads in crime level (11.6 vs 21.5). Merced leads in average commute (27 min vs 36.8 min). Merced leads in walk score (42 vs 35).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Hemet, CA | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.8 (#1922) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 92,368 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $447,218 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $49,901 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 36.8 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 11.6 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 118 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+1.3 | R+4.4 |
D-
60.8 Score
Hemet, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$447,218
Population
92,368
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
35
Pacific
View Hemet, 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 →