Merced, CA vs Worcester, MA
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
Worcester
66.6
#1530 nationally
Worcester leads in walk score (62 vs 42). Worcester leads in cost of living index (108 vs 121). Merced leads in median household income ($59,233 vs $52,891).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Merced, CA | Worcester, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.3 (#1702) | 66.6 (#1530) |
| Population | 93,692 | 206,518 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $397,570 | $441,802 |
| Median Household Income | $59,233 | $52,891 |
| Average Commute | 27 min | 26.4 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 62 |
| Crime Level | 21.5 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 121 | 108 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+4.4 | D+10.0 |
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
66.6 Score
Worcester, MA
Heart of the Commonwealth
Median Home
$441,802
Population
206,518
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Northeast
View Worcester, MA →