Merced, CA vs Washington, DC
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
Washington
66.2
#1580 nationally
Washington leads in walk score (98 vs 42). Washington leads in median household income ($101,722 vs $59,233). Merced leads in cost of living index (121 vs 181).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Merced, CA | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.3 (#1702) | 66.2 (#1580) |
| Population | 93,692 | 678,972 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $397,570 | $576,796 |
| Median Household Income | $59,233 | $101,722 |
| Average Commute | 27 min | 30.5 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 98 |
| Crime Level | 21.5 | 25.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 121 | 181 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+4.4 | D+86.1 |
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
66.2 Score
Washington, DC
Major District of Columbia city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$576,796
Population
678,972
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
98
Northeast
View Washington, DC →