Harrisburg, PA 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.
Harrisburg
72.7
#842 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Harrisburg leads in walk score (68 vs 42). Harrisburg leads in cost of living index (87 vs 121). Harrisburg leads in average commute (19.5 min vs 27 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Harrisburg, PA | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.7 (#842) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 50,012 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $270,397 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $46,654 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 19.5 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 68 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 20.9 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+5.9 | R+4.4 |
C-
72.7 Score
Harrisburg, PA
Pennsylvania community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$270,397
Population
50,012
Crime
High
Walk Score
68
Northeast
View Harrisburg, PA →
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 →