Kirkland, WA 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.
Kirkland
68
#1358 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Kirkland leads in crime level (1.7 vs 21.5). Kirkland leads in median household income ($135,608 vs $59,233). Merced leads in cost of living index (121 vs 179).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68 (#1358) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 91,194 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,212,741 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $135,608 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 25.5 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 51 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 1.7 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 179 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+51.7 | R+4.4 |
D+
68 Score
Kirkland, WA
Washington community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,212,741
Population
91,194
Crime
Low
Walk Score
51
Pacific
View Kirkland, WA →
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 →