Lafayette, CO 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
67
#1472 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Lafayette leads in crime level (7.5 vs 21.5). Lafayette leads in median household income ($105,819 vs $59,233). Merced leads in cost of living index (121 vs 143).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lafayette, CO | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67 (#1472) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 30,439 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $672,615 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $105,819 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 24.5 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 7.5 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 143 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+55.8 | R+4.4 |
D+
67 Score
Lafayette, CO
Small Colorado city with local appeal
Median Home
$672,615
Population
30,439
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
42
West
View Lafayette, CO →
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 →