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

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Highlights
Are people in Merced older or younger than people in Sonora?
- The Median Age in Merced is 8.7 years younger than in Sonora.

Are housing costs cheaper in Merced or Sonora?
- Merced housing costs are 1.7% less expensive than Sonora housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Merced or Sonora?
- The average commute for residents of Merced is 2.2 minutes longer than it is for residents of Sonora.

Things to do in Sonora?
Living in Sonora, CA is a beautiful experience. The small city has a population of only about 5,000, giving it a cozy and peaceful atmosphere. The downtown area is full of charming shops and restaurants that offer the perfect opportunity for exploring the local culture. Nature lovers can enjoy hiking the nearby mountains and forests or spending time at New Melones Lake. With its mild climate, Sonora provides plenty of warm days and crisp nights throughout the year. In addition to all these great features, there are also lots of exciting activities like concerts, festivals, and art galleries to explore. Sonora is truly an ideal place to call home!

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.

 Sonora, CAMerced, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock85,993329,725,481
 Median Income$56,279  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock29.638.4
 Avg. Home Price$379,400  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock9.3%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time21.33  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Sonora    15 Reviews

I have lived in Sonora for two and a half years and love it. Some of the earlier reviews I read scared me before coming. Here is what we have found. We live in a  More

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Over 4 years ago

I have lived here for 8 years and I absolutely hate it. This town is not built for all the people it has to accommodate. Everyone from the ENTIRE county comes here to do  More

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Lived here for 21 years since my family moved up from the valley (to get away from gang violence and other crime). Traffic doesn't pay attention constantly running  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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