Clayton, 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.
Clayton
67.4
#1425 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Clayton leads in crime level (4.6 vs 21.5). Clayton leads in median household income ($71,698 vs $59,233). Clayton leads in cost of living index (103 vs 121).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Clayton, NC | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1425) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 30,216 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $365,680 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $71,698 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 31.5 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | N/A | 42 |
| Crime Level | 4.6 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+21.5 | R+4.4 |
Data coverage note: Clayton is missing data for 1 metric that Merced has. Scores with less coverage are penalized — see our methodology.
D+
67.4 Score
Clayton, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$365,680
Population
30,216
Crime
Moderate-Low
Median Income
$71,698
Southeast
View Clayton, 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 →