Auburn, WA 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
62.2
#1866 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Auburn leads in median household income ($87,406 vs $59,233). Auburn leads in crime level (14.9 vs 21.5). Merced leads in walk score (42 vs 33).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Auburn, WA | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.2 (#1866) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 83,870 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $609,464 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $87,406 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 31.6 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 14.9 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 131 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+51.7 | R+4.4 |
D-
62.2 Score
Auburn, WA
Washington community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$609,464
Population
83,870
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
33
Pacific
View Auburn, WA →
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 →