Merced, CA vs Santa Maria, 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
Santa Maria
63.3
#1783 nationally
Santa Maria leads in median household income ($81,237 vs $59,233). Santa Maria leads in walk score (52 vs 42). Santa Maria leads in average commute (22.1 min vs 27 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Merced, CA | Santa Maria, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.3 (#1702) | 63.3 (#1783) |
| Population | 93,692 | 109,987 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $397,570 | $668,983 |
| Median Household Income | $59,233 | $81,237 |
| Average Commute | 27 min | 22.1 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 52 |
| Crime Level | 21.5 | 18.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 121 | 138 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+4.4 | D+26.7 |
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
63.3 Score
Santa Maria, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$668,983
Population
109,987
Crime
High
Walk Score
52
Pacific
View Santa Maria, CA →
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