Dover, NH 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.
Dover
73.1
#782 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Dover leads in crime level (1.3 vs 21.5). Dover leads in median household income ($90,844 vs $59,233). Merced leads in walk score (42 vs 33).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Dover, NH | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.1 (#782) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 33,485 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $548,206 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $90,844 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 23.1 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 1.3 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 116 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+12.1 | R+4.4 |
C
73.1 Score
Dover, NH
Small New Hampshire city with local appeal
Median Home
$548,206
Population
33,485
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
33
Northeast
View Dover, NH →
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 →