Merced, CA vs Stuart, FL
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
Stuart
66.3
#1563 nationally
Stuart leads in crime level (8.4 vs 21.5). Stuart leads in average commute (23.2 min vs 27 min). Stuart leads in cost of living index (109 vs 121).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Merced, CA | Stuart, FL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.3 (#1702) | 66.3 (#1563) |
| Population | 93,692 | 19,430 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $397,570 | $375,621 |
| Median Household Income | $59,233 | $61,878 |
| Average Commute | 27 min | 23.2 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | N/A |
| Crime Level | 21.5 | 8.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 121 | 109 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+4.4 | R+31.1 |
Data coverage note: Stuart is missing data for 1 metric that Merced has. Scores with less coverage are penalized — see our methodology.
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
66.3 Score
Stuart, FL
Small Florida city with local appeal
Median Home
$375,621
Population
19,430
Crime
Moderate
Median Income
$61,878
Southeast
View Stuart, FL →