Merced, CA vs Reno, NV
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
Reno
67.4
#1431 nationally
Reno leads in average commute (21.4 min vs 27 min). Reno leads in median household income ($68,521 vs $59,233). Reno leads in walk score (48 vs 42).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Merced, CA | Reno, NV |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.3 (#1702) | 67.4 (#1431) |
| Population | 93,692 | 273,448 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $397,570 | $576,945 |
| Median Household Income | $59,233 | $68,521 |
| Average Commute | 27 min | 21.4 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 48 |
| Crime Level | 21.5 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 121 | 112 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+4.4 | D+1.0 |
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+
67.4 Score
Reno, NV
Biggest Little City with big potential
Median Home
$576,945
Population
273,448
Crime
Moderate
Schools
C+
West
View Reno, NV →