Baton Rouge, LA 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.
Baton Rouge
74.1
#631 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Baton Rouge leads in crime level (14.9 vs 21.5). Baton Rouge leads in average commute (21.5 min vs 27 min). Baton Rouge leads in cost of living index (99 vs 121).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.1 (#631) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 219,573 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $233,136 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $50,155 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 21.5 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 14.9 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 99 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+11.1 | R+4.4 |
C
74.1 Score
Baton Rouge, LA
Growing Louisiana city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$233,136
Population
219,573
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
39
Southeast
View Baton Rouge, LA →
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 →