Merced, CA vs Olympia, WA
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
Olympia
64
#1725 nationally
Olympia leads in crime level (15.5 vs 21.5). Olympia leads in average commute (20.8 min vs 27 min). Olympia leads in median household income ($73,851 vs $59,233).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Merced, CA | Olympia, WA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.3 (#1702) | 64 (#1725) |
| Population | 93,692 | 55,733 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $397,570 | $536,583 |
| Median Household Income | $59,233 | $73,851 |
| Average Commute | 27 min | 20.8 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 39 |
| Crime Level | 21.5 | 15.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 121 | 127 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+4.4 | D+20.4 |
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
64 Score
Olympia, WA
Washington community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$536,583
Population
55,733
Crime
High
Walk Score
39
Pacific
View Olympia, WA →