Merced, CA vs Raleigh, NC
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
Raleigh
71
#1035 nationally
Merced leads in crime level (21.5 vs 32.0). Raleigh leads in median household income ($82,424 vs $59,233). Merced leads in walk score (42 vs 31).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Merced, CA | Raleigh, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.3 (#1702) | 71 (#1035) |
| Population | 93,692 | 470,763 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $397,570 | $435,237 |
| Median Household Income | $59,233 | $82,424 |
| Average Commute | 27 min | 24.3 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 31 |
| Crime Level | 21.5 | 32.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | 7.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 121 | 105 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+4.4 | D+25.6 |
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 →
C-
71 Score
Raleigh, NC
Research Triangle innovation hub
Median Home
$435,237
Population
470,763
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
B+
Southeast
View Raleigh, NC →