Irvine, 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.
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Irvine leads in median household income ($116,519 vs $59,233). Merced leads in cost of living index (121 vs 178). Irvine leads in walk score (44 vs 42).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.2 (#1452) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 307,670 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,517,431 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $116,519 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 25.8 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 42 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 21.5 |
| School Rating | 9.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | R+4.4 |
D+
67.2 Score
Irvine, CA
Master-planned perfection in Southern California
Median Home
$1,517,431
Population
307,670
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A+
Pacific
View Irvine, 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 →