Merced, CA vs Vista, 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
Vista
63.3
#1784 nationally
Vista leads in crime level (8.7 vs 21.5). Vista leads in median household income ($88,715 vs $59,233). Merced leads in cost of living index (121 vs 158).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Merced, CA | Vista, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.3 (#1702) | 63.3 (#1784) |
| Population | 93,692 | 98,344 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $397,570 | $879,716 |
| Median Household Income | $59,233 | $88,715 |
| Average Commute | 27 min | 27.1 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 46 |
| Crime Level | 21.5 | 8.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 121 | 158 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+4.4 | D+16.8 |
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
63.3 Score
Vista, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$879,716
Population
98,344
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
46
Pacific
View Vista, CA →