Fitchburg, MA 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.
Fitchburg
67
#1469 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Fitchburg leads in crime level (13.3 vs 21.5). Fitchburg leads in median household income ($65,963 vs $59,233). Fitchburg leads in cost of living index (111 vs 121).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fitchburg, MA | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67 (#1469) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 41,579 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $409,654 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $65,963 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 26.1 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 43 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 13.3 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 111 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.0 | R+4.4 |
D+
67 Score
Fitchburg, MA
Small Massachusetts city with local appeal
Median Home
$409,654
Population
41,579
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
43
Northeast
View Fitchburg, MA →
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 →