Cost of Living in Merced, California
Merced has a population of about 91,953. The median household income is $63,122, median gross rent is $1,393/month, and the median home value is $372,600. These figures come from 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates, the latest full-coverage Census baseline for U.S. cities.
How current is this? Census city data is released with a lag because it is survey-based and designed for consistent coverage across small and large places. Use it as an official affordability baseline; current apartment listings and mortgage rates may differ.
Is Merced expensive to live in?
Compared with the national median in this dataset, rent in Merced is 16% below the national median and home values are about the national median. Household income here is 25% below the national median. Monthly rent represents roughly 26% of the median annual household income, a rough affordability signal for renters.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Merced?
The median gross rent in Merced, California is $1,393 per month in the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates.
What is the median home price in Merced?
The median owner-occupied home value in Merced is $372,600 in the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates.
How much do people earn in Merced?
The median household income in Merced is $63,122 per year in the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates.
Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates. Local database last refreshed 2026-07-11.