Albany, NY vs Merced, 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.
Albany
70.2
#1122 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Albany leads in walk score (65 vs 42). Albany leads in average commute (19.3 min vs 27 min). Albany leads in cost of living index (109 vs 121).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Albany, NY | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.2 (#1122) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 101,228 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $335,126 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $54,736 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 19.3 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 65 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 22.4 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 109 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.8 | R+4.4 |
C-
70.2 Score
Albany, NY
Mid-size New York city with community character
Median Home
$335,126
Population
101,228
Crime
High
Walk Score
65
Northeast
View Albany, NY →
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 →