2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Merced, CA vs Fort Walton Beach, FL

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Highlights
Are people in Fort Walton Beach older or younger than people in Merced?
- The Median Age in Fort Walton Beach is 9.9 years older than in Merced.

Are housing costs cheaper in Fort Walton Beach or Merced?
- Fort Walton Beach housing costs are 13.6% less expensive than Merced housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Fort Walton Beach or Merced?
- The average commute for residents of Fort Walton Beach is 4.4 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Merced.

Things to do in Merced?
Merced, California is a mid-sized city located in Central Valley known for its proximity to Yosemite National Park or Lake Yosemite making it an ideal spot for outdoor recreation.

Things to do in Fort Walton Beach?
Fort Walton Beach is a city in Florida that is known for its beautiful beaches and amazing weather. The local attractions include the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, the Indian Temple Mound Museum, and the Air Force Armament Museum. There are also many great restaurants, shops, and activities to enjoy.The area offers wonderful outdoor activities, such as fishing, boating, swimming, and beachcombing. Fort Walton Beach boasts a vibrant nightlife with live music, dance clubs, and bars.

 Merced, CAFort Walton Beach, FLUnited States
 Population  Unlock20,805329,725,481
 Median Income$52,305  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock39.538.4
 Avg. Home Price$373,000  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.0%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time23.56  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Merced    44 Reviews

Merced is totally slept on - you want a little bit of everything CA has to offer, at a fraction of the price of other CA cities? Merced is the place to go. The town  More

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Over 5 years ago

Good place to live. More affordable than most of california. The city is growing and there is alot of business and growth here. Moved from the Bay area years ago and  More

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Great place to live. Lots of progress and changes coming to the city. Great place to raise a family. UC Merced is expanding and businesses are investing. Downtown is  More

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Reviews for Fort Walton Beach    10 Reviews

Over 3 years ago

Ive lived in Fort Walton for atleast 15yrs.Ive seen the good days(early to late 200's)and now the bad.If you move here,youd better make atleast $10,000 a month.These  More

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I would like to know if Fort Walton Beach is a better place to live rather than busy Clearwater FL. We want to re-locate to a quieter city with all the amenities of a  More

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FWB is great for its beautiful beaches and saltwater fishing. It's also easy to move around town except during rush hour (yes, we have a rush hour - but it literally  More

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