Gainesville, FL 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.
Gainesville
68
#1355 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Gainesville leads in average commute (18.8 min vs 27 min). Merced leads in median household income ($59,233 vs $43,783). Gainesville leads in cost of living index (104 vs 121).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68 (#1355) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 145,812 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $298,659 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $43,783 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 18.8 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 37 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 20.2 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 104 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+21.0 | R+4.4 |
D+
68 Score
Gainesville, FL
Mid-size Florida city with community character
Median Home
$298,659
Population
145,812
Crime
High
Walk Score
37
Southeast
View Gainesville, FL →
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 →