Maricopa, AZ 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.
Maricopa
67.6
#1402 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Maricopa leads in crime level (6.2 vs 21.5). Merced leads in walk score (42 vs 13). Maricopa leads in median household income ($88,795 vs $59,233).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Maricopa, AZ | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.6 (#1402) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 71,022 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $344,261 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $88,795 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 38.3 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 13 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 6.2 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 111 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+22.1 | R+4.4 |
D+
67.6 Score
Maricopa, AZ
Arizona community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$344,261
Population
71,022
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
13
Southwest
View Maricopa, AZ →
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 →