2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Oakland, CA vs Merced, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Merced older or younger than people in Oakland?
- The Median Age in Merced is 7.3 years younger than in Oakland.

Are housing costs cheaper in Merced or Oakland?
- Merced housing costs are 54.5% less expensive than Oakland housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Merced or Oakland?
- The average commute for residents of Merced is 8.3 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Oakland.

Things to do in Oakland?
Oakland, California is the vibrant city at the heart of the Bay Area. With its beautiful parks and nature preserves, lively nightlife scene, and booming arts and music scene, there’s something for everyone in this diverse and thriving city. Visitors can explore historical landmarks like Jack London Square or take a stroll through Chinatown. The city also offers plenty of outdoor activities including kayaking on Lake Merritt or hiking through Redwood Regional Park. With its bustling atmosphere, great cultural attractions and countless outdoor experiences to choose from, Oakland is sure to make any visit an unforgettable one!

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.

 Oakland, CAMerced, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock85,993329,725,481
 Median Income$85,628  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock29.638.4
 Avg. Home Price$819,500  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock9.3%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time31.86  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Oakland    38 Reviews

I move to Oakland 20yrs ago with high hopes, loved the geography of the city, the diversity is outstanding, and the charm of the older homes is wonderful. When I  More

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Over 4 years ago

Fun place to visit. Little rough is some areas- a lot to do  More

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I moved to Oakland because of its racial diversity in the early eighties although I've seen some ups and downs in this visually beautiful city, it has never been as bad  More

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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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