Merced, CA vs Phoenix, AZ
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
Phoenix
66.7
#1514 nationally
Phoenix leads in cost of living index (106 vs 121). Phoenix leads in median household income ($65,891 vs $59,233). Merced leads in walk score (42 vs 41).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Merced, CA | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.3 (#1702) | 66.7 (#1514) |
| Population | 93,692 | 1,650,070 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $397,570 | $408,770 |
| Median Household Income | $59,233 | $65,891 |
| Average Commute | 27 min | 26.7 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 21.5 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 121 | 106 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+4.4 | R+3.5 |
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
66.7 Score
Phoenix, AZ
Valley of the Sun with explosive growth
Median Home
$408,770
Population
1,650,070
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Southwest
View Phoenix, AZ →