Columbus, GA 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.
Columbus
76.2
#370 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Merced leads in walk score (42 vs 25). Columbus leads in average commute (20.2 min vs 27 min). Columbus leads in crime level (16.5 vs 21.5).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.2 (#370) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 201,877 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $174,343 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $54,561 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 20.2 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 25 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 16.5 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 96 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+23.4 | R+4.4 |
C
76.2 Score
Columbus, GA
Growing Georgia city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$174,343
Population
201,877
Crime
High
Walk Score
25
Southeast
View Columbus, GA →
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 →