Merced, CA vs Portland, OR
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
Portland
67.1
#1464 nationally
Portland leads in walk score (67 vs 42). Portland leads in median household income ($78,423 vs $59,233). Merced leads in cost of living index (121 vs 128).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Merced, CA | Portland, OR |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.3 (#1702) | 67.1 (#1464) |
| Population | 93,692 | 635,067 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $397,570 | $534,270 |
| Median Household Income | $59,233 | $78,423 |
| Average Commute | 27 min | 26.8 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 67 |
| Crime Level | 21.5 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 121 | 128 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+4.4 | D+62.1 |
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+
67.1 Score
Portland, OR
Keep Portland Weird
Median Home
$534,270
Population
635,067
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Pacific
View Portland, OR →