Carteret, NJ 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.
Carteret
66
#1591 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Carteret leads in crime level (8.6 vs 21.5). Carteret leads in median household income ($79,049 vs $59,233). Carteret leads in walk score (56 vs 42).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carteret, NJ | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66 (#1591) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 25,281 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $567,711 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $79,049 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 32 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 56 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 8.6 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+8.0 | R+4.4 |
D
66 Score
Carteret, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$567,711
Population
25,281
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
56
Northeast
View Carteret, NJ →
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 →