McHenry, IL 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.
McHenry
74.8
#550 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
McHenry leads in crime level (2.6 vs 21.5). Merced leads in walk score (42 vs 27). McHenry leads in median household income ($83,651 vs $59,233).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | McHenry, IL | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.8 (#550) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 28,251 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $318,613 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $83,651 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 32.3 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 27 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 2.6 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 105 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+5.3 | R+4.4 |
C
74.8 Score
McHenry, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$318,613
Population
28,251
Crime
Low
Walk Score
27
Midwest
View McHenry, IL →
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 →