Merced, CA vs Orlando, FL
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
Orlando
68.7
#1298 nationally
Orlando leads in cost of living index (101 vs 121). Merced leads in median household income ($59,233 vs $57,891). Merced leads in average commute (27 min vs 27.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Merced, CA | Orlando, FL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.3 (#1702) | 68.7 (#1298) |
| Population | 93,692 | 320,742 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $397,570 | $374,196 |
| Median Household Income | $59,233 | $57,891 |
| Average Commute | 27 min | 27.4 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 21.5 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 6 |
| Cost of Living Index | 121 | 101 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+4.4 | D+13.6 |
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+
68.7 Score
Orlando, FL
Theme park capital with growing diversity
Median Home
$374,196
Population
320,742
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B-
Southeast
View Orlando, FL →