Auburn, AL 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.
Auburn
71.7
#960 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Auburn leads in crime level (2.9 vs 21.5). Merced leads in walk score (42 vs 28). Auburn leads in average commute (19 min vs 27 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Auburn, AL | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71.7 (#960) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 82,025 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $423,354 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $55,509 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 19 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 2.9 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 104 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+27.8 | R+4.4 |
C-
71.7 Score
Auburn, AL
Alabama community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$423,354
Population
82,025
Crime
Low
Walk Score
28
Southeast
View Auburn, AL →
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 →