Grayslake, IL 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.
Grayslake
76.3
#362 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Grayslake leads in crime level (1.8 vs 21.5). Grayslake leads in median household income ($110,662 vs $59,233). Merced leads in walk score (42 vs 28).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Grayslake, IL | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.3 (#362) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 20,954 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $374,561 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $110,662 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 28.7 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 1.8 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+20.8 | R+4.4 |
C
76.3 Score
Grayslake, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$374,561
Population
20,954
Crime
Low
Walk Score
28
Midwest
View Grayslake, IL →
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 →