Lexington, NC 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.
Lexington
69
#1265 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Lexington leads in crime level (12.0 vs 21.5). Merced leads in median household income ($59,233 vs $36,868). Lexington leads in cost of living index (89 vs 121).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lexington, NC | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69 (#1265) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 19,840 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $275,047 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $36,868 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 22 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 12.0 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+47.1 | R+4.4 |
D+
69 Score
Lexington, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$275,047
Population
19,840
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
33
Southeast
View Lexington, NC →
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 →