Lafayette, 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.
Lafayette
62.7
#1832 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Lafayette leads in crime level (2.2 vs 21.5). Lafayette leads in median household income ($219,250 vs $59,233). Merced leads in cost of living index (121 vs 280).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lafayette, CA | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.7 (#1832) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 25,048 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,941,109 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $219,250 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 29.7 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 26 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 2.2 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 280 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+38.0 | R+4.4 |
D-
62.7 Score
Lafayette, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,941,109
Population
25,048
Crime
Low
Walk Score
26
Pacific
View Lafayette, 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 →