Lakeland, FL 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.
Lakeland
71.5
#975 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Lakeland leads in crime level (8.3 vs 21.5). Merced leads in walk score (42 vs 35). Lakeland leads in cost of living index (103 vs 121).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71.5 (#975) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 122,264 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $312,574 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $58,290 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 23.2 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 8.3 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+20.7 | R+4.4 |
C-
71.5 Score
Lakeland, FL
Mid-size Florida city with community character
Median Home
$312,574
Population
122,264
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
35
Southeast
View Lakeland, FL →
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 →