Elk Grove, CA 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.
Elk Grove
66.7
#1508 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Elk Grove leads in crime level (5.2 vs 21.5). Elk Grove leads in median household income ($115,864 vs $59,233). Merced leads in walk score (42 vs 32).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.7 (#1508) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 178,444 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $634,683 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $115,864 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 33.1 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 32 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 5.2 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 148 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+19.7 | R+4.4 |
D
66.7 Score
Elk Grove, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$634,683
Population
178,444
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
32
Pacific
View Elk Grove, CA →
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 →