salaryRent is higher than in 56% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.5 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $70,920 a year. That is $34 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of California. It is number 144 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Merced?
Share of households by yearly income. 20.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Merced
| Size | Merced | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,270 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,213 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,394 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,656 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,805 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Merced overall?
Everyday prices in the Merced metro area are 2% below the U.S. average (index 98.3, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Merced
Life in Merced
What jobs pay in Merced
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Physician Assistant | $164,080 | 13.0% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $158,750 | 13.4% |
| Pharmacist | $154,870 | 13.7% |
| Lawyer | $139,010 | 15.3% |
| Software Developer | $132,120 | 16.1% |
| Registered Nurse | $131,620 | 16.2% |
| Dental Hygienist | $117,400 | 18.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $102,930 | 20.7% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $100,120 | 21.3% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $95,390 | 22.3% |
| Operations Manager | $94,990 | 22.4% |
| Police Officer | $82,540 | 25.8% |
| Accountant | $80,420 | 26.5% |
| Electrician | $76,120 | 28.0% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $75,890 | 28.0% |
| Carpenter | $74,760 | 28.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $65,640 | 32.4% |
| HVAC Technician | $64,040 | 33.2% |
| Firefighter | $63,940 | 33.3% |
| Plumber | $60,230 | 35.3% |
| Truck Driver | $55,630 | 38.2% |
| Customer Service Representative | $45,670 | 46.6% |
| Nursing Assistant | $44,730 | 47.6% |
| Warehouse Worker | $41,890 | 50.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $39,800 | 53.5% |
| Restaurant Cook | $38,480 | 55.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $37,740 | 56.4% |
| Cashier | $35,340 | 60.2% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $34,320 | 62.0% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Merced?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $812 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $372,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $37,260 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Merced, CA?
Renting in Merced costs a median of about $1,773 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Merced?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $70,920 a year, or $34 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Merced cheap or expensive?
Merced is rated Expensive: rent takes 31.3% of the typical household income of $68,077. It ranks 144th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Merced?
The median homeowner in Merced pays $2,617 a year in property taxes, about 0.70% of the median home value.
Is Merced more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 2% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Merced?
The median home value in Merced is $372,600, about 5.5 times the typical yearly household income.
91,953 people live in Merced. Numbers are typical (middle) values.