Blacksburg, VA 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.
Blacksburg
72.5
#869 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Blacksburg leads in crime level (2.1 vs 21.5). Blacksburg leads in average commute (14.9 min vs 27 min). Merced leads in median household income ($59,233 vs $42,012).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Blacksburg, VA | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.5 (#869) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 45,485 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $425,635 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $42,012 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 14.9 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 43 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 2.1 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 119 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+3.5 | R+4.4 |
C-
72.5 Score
Blacksburg, VA
Small Virginia city with local appeal
Median Home
$425,635
Population
45,485
Crime
Low
Walk Score
43
Northeast
View Blacksburg, VA →
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 →