Merced, CA vs Riverside, 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
Riverside
60.4
#1938 nationally
Riverside leads in median household income ($83,448 vs $59,233). Riverside leads in crime level (16.2 vs 21.5). Merced leads in average commute (27 min vs 31.3 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Merced, CA | Riverside, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.3 (#1702) | 60.4 (#1938) |
| Population | 93,692 | 318,858 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $397,570 | $650,289 |
| Median Household Income | $59,233 | $83,448 |
| Average Commute | 27 min | 31.3 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 43 |
| Crime Level | 21.5 | 16.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 121 | 140 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+4.4 | R+1.3 |
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-
60.4 Score
Riverside, CA
Growing California city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$650,289
Population
318,858
Crime
High
Walk Score
43
Pacific
View Riverside, CA →