Merced, CA vs Ontario, 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.
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Ontario
63.8
#1740 nationally
Ontario leads in crime level (7.5 vs 21.5). Ontario leads in median household income ($78,070 vs $59,233). Merced leads in cost of living index (121 vs 143).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Merced, CA | Ontario, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.3 (#1702) | 63.8 (#1740) |
| Population | 93,692 | 182,457 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $397,570 | $671,649 |
| Median Household Income | $59,233 | $78,070 |
| Average Commute | 27 min | 31.3 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 48 |
| Crime Level | 21.5 | 7.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 121 | 143 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+4.4 | R+2.1 |
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 →
D
63.8 Score
Ontario, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$671,649
Population
182,457
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
48
Pacific
View Ontario, CA →