Manchester, NH 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.
Manchester
69.9
#1157 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Manchester leads in crime level (9.2 vs 21.5). Manchester leads in median household income ($74,040 vs $59,233). Manchester leads in walk score (51 vs 42).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.9 (#1157) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 115,474 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $444,613 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $74,040 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 24.2 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 51 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 9.2 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 111 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.9 | R+4.4 |
D+
69.9 Score
Manchester, NH
Mid-size New Hampshire city with community character
Median Home
$444,613
Population
115,474
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
51
Northeast
View Manchester, NH →
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 →