Merced, CA vs Westfield, NJ
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
Westfield
68
#1365 nationally
Westfield leads in crime level (0.4 vs 21.5). Westfield leads in median household income ($203,235 vs $59,233). Merced leads in cost of living index (121 vs 184).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Merced, CA | Westfield, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.3 (#1702) | 68 (#1365) |
| Population | 93,692 | 30,559 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $397,570 | $1,327,809 |
| Median Household Income | $59,233 | $203,235 |
| Average Commute | 27 min | 35.6 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 45 |
| Crime Level | 21.5 | 0.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 121 | 184 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+4.4 | D+24.2 |
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+
68 Score
Westfield, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,327,809
Population
30,559
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
45
Northeast
View Westfield, NJ →