Crystal Lake, IL 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.
Crystal Lake
74.8
#541 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Crystal Lake leads in crime level (2.9 vs 21.5). Crystal Lake leads in median household income ($103,018 vs $59,233). Merced leads in walk score (42 vs 30).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Crystal Lake, IL | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.8 (#541) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 40,861 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $388,566 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $103,018 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 29.8 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 30 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 2.9 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+5.3 | R+4.4 |
C
74.8 Score
Crystal Lake, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$388,566
Population
40,861
Crime
Low
Walk Score
30
Midwest
View Crystal Lake, IL →
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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