Dayton, 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.
Dayton
76
#394 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Dayton leads in cost of living index (78 vs 121). Merced leads in median household income ($59,233 vs $38,924). Dayton leads in average commute (21.8 min vs 27 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76 (#394) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 137,644 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $138,730 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $38,924 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 21.8 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 40 | 42 |
| Crime Level | High | 21.5 |
| School Rating | 4.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 78 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | Even | R+4.4 |
C
76 Score
Dayton, OH
Birthplace of Aviation
Median Home
$138,730
Population
137,644
Crime
High
Schools
C-
Midwest
View Dayton, 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 →