Merced, CA vs Roanoke, VA
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
Roanoke
69.5
#1203 nationally
Roanoke leads in average commute (20.9 min vs 27 min). Roanoke leads in cost of living index (95 vs 121). Roanoke leads in crime level (17.0 vs 21.5).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Merced, CA | Roanoke, VA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.3 (#1702) | 69.5 (#1203) |
| Population | 93,692 | 97,171 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $397,570 | $283,969 |
| Median Household Income | $59,233 | $51,523 |
| Average Commute | 27 min | 20.9 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 39 |
| Crime Level | 21.5 | 17.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 121 | 95 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+4.4 | D+23.6 |
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+
69.5 Score
Roanoke, VA
Virginia community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$283,969
Population
97,171
Crime
High
Walk Score
39
Northeast
View Roanoke, VA →