Merced, CA vs Santa Paula, 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
Santa Paula
64.8
#1675 nationally
Santa Paula leads in crime level (9.0 vs 21.5). Santa Paula leads in walk score (59 vs 42). Santa Paula leads in median household income ($72,014 vs $59,233).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Merced, CA | Santa Paula, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.3 (#1702) | 64.8 (#1675) |
| Population | 93,692 | 31,792 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $397,570 | $719,395 |
| Median Household Income | $59,233 | $72,014 |
| Average Commute | 27 min | 28 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 59 |
| Crime Level | 21.5 | 9.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 121 | 142 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+4.4 | D+15.1 |
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
64.8 Score
Santa Paula, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$719,395
Population
31,792
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
59
Pacific
View Santa Paula, CA →
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