Merced, CA vs Sparks, 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
Sparks
66.1
#1588 nationally
Sparks leads in crime level (10.8 vs 21.5). Sparks leads in median household income ($82,938 vs $59,233). Sparks leads in average commute (23.3 min vs 27 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Merced, CA | Sparks, NV |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.3 (#1702) | 66.1 (#1588) |
| Population | 93,692 | 110,323 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $397,570 | $537,566 |
| Median Household Income | $59,233 | $82,938 |
| Average Commute | 27 min | 23.3 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 21.5 | 10.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 121 | 121 |
| 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
66.1 Score
Sparks, NV
Mid-size Nevada city with community character
Median Home
$537,566
Population
110,323
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
41
West
View Sparks, NV →