Cincinnati, OH 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.
Cincinnati
72.8
#820 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Cincinnati leads in cost of living index (88 vs 121). Merced leads in median household income ($59,233 vs $46,094). Cincinnati leads in walk score (50 vs 42).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.8 (#820) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 311,097 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $251,326 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $46,094 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 23.5 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 50 | 42 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 21.5 |
| School Rating | 5.6 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+14.9 | R+4.4 |
C-
72.8 Score
Cincinnati, OH
Queen City charm with renewed energy
Median Home
$251,326
Population
311,097
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Midwest
View Cincinnati, OH →
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 →