Auburn, 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.
Auburn
77.5
#237 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Auburn leads in crime level (6.7 vs 21.5). Auburn leads in average commute (19.9 min vs 27 min). Auburn leads in cost of living index (96 vs 121).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Auburn, NY | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.5 (#237) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 25,983 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $229,007 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $48,203 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 19.9 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 52 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 6.7 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 96 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+13.0 | R+4.4 |
C+
77.5 Score
Auburn, NY
Small New York city with local appeal
Median Home
$229,007
Population
25,983
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
52
Northeast
View Auburn, 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 →