Merced, CA vs Surprise, 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
Surprise
71
#1038 nationally
Surprise leads in crime level (3.0 vs 21.5). Merced leads in walk score (42 vs 21). Surprise leads in median household income ($87,756 vs $59,233).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Merced, CA | Surprise, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.3 (#1702) | 71 (#1038) |
| Population | 93,692 | 158,285 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $397,570 | $419,342 |
| Median Household Income | $59,233 | $87,756 |
| Average Commute | 27 min | 30.5 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 21 |
| Crime Level | 21.5 | 3.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 121 | 115 |
| 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
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C-
71 Score
Surprise, AZ
Mid-size Arizona city with community character
Median Home
$419,342
Population
158,285
Crime
Low
Walk Score
21
Southwest
View Surprise, AZ →