Lakewood, 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.
Lakewood
62.8
#1823 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Lakewood leads in median household income ($82,786 vs $59,233). Merced leads in cost of living index (121 vs 135). Lakewood leads in walk score (43 vs 42).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.8 (#1823) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 155,961 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $565,359 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $82,786 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 27 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 43 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 21.6 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 135 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+19.5 | R+4.4 |
D-
62.8 Score
Lakewood, CO
Mid-size Colorado city with community character
Median Home
$565,359
Population
155,961
Crime
High
Walk Score
43
West
View Lakewood, 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 →