Gurnee, 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.
Gurnee
73.9
#658 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Gurnee leads in crime level (4.6 vs 21.5). Gurnee leads in median household income ($112,633 vs $59,233). Merced leads in walk score (42 vs 23).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Gurnee, IL | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.9 (#658) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 30,193 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $383,421 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $112,633 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 28.2 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 23 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 4.6 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+20.8 | R+4.4 |
C
73.9 Score
Gurnee, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$383,421
Population
30,193
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
23
Midwest
View Gurnee, 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 →