Charleston, SC 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.
Charleston
66
#1592 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Charleston leads in median household income ($76,819 vs $59,233). Charleston leads in average commute (24.6 min vs 27 min). Merced leads in walk score (42 vs 39).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66 (#1592) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 156,042 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $596,437 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $76,819 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 24.6 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 42 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 21.5 |
| School Rating | 6.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 115 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+5.7 | R+4.4 |
D
66 Score
Charleston, SC
Southern charm meets coastal living
Median Home
$596,437
Population
156,042
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Southeast
View Charleston, SC →
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 →
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