Merced, CA vs Napa, 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.
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Napa
65.1
#1651 nationally
Napa leads in crime level (7.9 vs 21.5). Napa leads in median household income ($100,273 vs $59,233). Merced leads in cost of living index (121 vs 173).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Merced, CA | Napa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.3 (#1702) | 65.1 (#1651) |
| Population | 93,692 | 77,492 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $397,570 | $873,489 |
| Median Household Income | $59,233 | $100,273 |
| Average Commute | 27 min | 23.9 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 51 |
| Crime Level | 21.5 | 7.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 121 | 173 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+4.4 | D+34.9 |
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 →
D
65.1 Score
Napa, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$873,489
Population
77,492
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
51
Pacific
View Napa, CA →