Kent, OH 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.
Kent
76.4
#351 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Kent leads in crime level (3.5 vs 21.5). Merced leads in median household income ($59,233 vs $37,505). Kent leads in cost of living index (92 vs 121).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Kent, OH | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.4 (#351) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 27,601 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $253,734 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $37,505 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 21.7 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 3.5 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 92 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+15.5 | R+4.4 |
C
76.4 Score
Kent, OH
Small Ohio city with local appeal
Median Home
$253,734
Population
27,601
Crime
Low
Walk Score
41
Midwest
View Kent, OH →
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 →