Arlington, TX 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.
Arlington
70.7
#1065 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Arlington leads in crime level (13.2 vs 21.5). Arlington leads in median household income ($71,736 vs $59,233). Arlington leads in cost of living index (101 vs 121).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.7 (#1065) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 398,431 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $312,255 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $71,736 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 26.9 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 38 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 13.2 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+5.1 | R+4.4 |
C-
70.7 Score
Arlington, TX
Growing Texas city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$312,255
Population
398,431
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
38
Southwest
View Arlington, TX →
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 →