Houston, TX 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.
Houston
72.1
#926 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Houston leads in cost of living index (96 vs 121). Houston leads in walk score (48 vs 42). Merced leads in average commute (27 min vs 28.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Houston, TX | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#926) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 2,314,157 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $263,563 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $57,791 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | 42 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 21.5 |
| School Rating | 5.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 96 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+5.5 | R+4.4 |
C-
72.1 Score
Houston, TX
Space City with global energy
Median Home
$263,563
Population
2,314,157
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Southwest
View Houston, TX →
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 →