Burlington, NC 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.
Burlington
68.8
#1278 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Burlington leads in cost of living index (92 vs 121). Merced leads in walk score (42 vs 33). Merced leads in crime level (21.5 vs 26.1).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Burlington, NC | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.8 (#1278) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 60,032 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $257,731 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $52,963 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 23.6 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 26.1 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 92 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+8.2 | R+4.4 |
D+
68.8 Score
Burlington, NC
North Carolina community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$257,731
Population
60,032
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
33
Southeast
View Burlington, NC →
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 →