Fremont, 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.
Fremont
66.8
#1497 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Fremont leads in median household income ($155,342 vs $59,233). Merced leads in cost of living index (121 vs 185). Merced leads in average commute (27 min vs 32.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.8 (#1497) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 230,504 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,471,931 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $155,342 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 32.4 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 42 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 21.5 |
| School Rating | 9 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 185 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | R+4.4 |
D
66.8 Score
Fremont, CA
East Bay family haven
Median Home
$1,471,931
Population
230,504
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A
Pacific
View Fremont, 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 →