Hesperia, 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.
Hesperia
58.8
#1952 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Merced leads in walk score (42 vs 16). Merced leads in average commute (27 min vs 42.4 min). Hesperia leads in crime level (14.2 vs 21.5).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Hesperia, CA | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 58.8 (#1952) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 100,633 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $466,275 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $67,698 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 42.4 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 16 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 14.2 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 123 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+2.1 | R+4.4 |
F
58.8 Score
Hesperia, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$466,275
Population
100,633
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
16
Pacific
View Hesperia, 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 →