Los Angeles, 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.
Los Angeles
60.9
#1917 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Los Angeles leads in walk score (68 vs 42). Merced leads in cost of living index (121 vs 173). Los Angeles leads in median household income ($74,891 vs $59,233).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.9 (#1917) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 3,822,238 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $946,268 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $74,891 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 31.4 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 68 | 42 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 21.5 |
| School Rating | 5.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | R+4.4 |
D-
60.9 Score
Los Angeles, CA
Entertainment capital of the world
Median Home
$946,268
Population
3,822,238
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Pacific
View Los Angeles, 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 →
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