How much does it cost to rent in Merced, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Merced, CA is $1,964. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Merced cheaper than other California cities?

Merced is among the more affordable cities in California, ranking #347 out of 387 cities at $1,964/mo.

When was Merced rent data last updated?

Merced rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · CA

Merced

Name: Average Rent Prices in Merced, CA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 91,953·347th most expensive in California·Merced rents are up 7.8% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,964/mo

Year-over-Year

+7.8%

Month-over-Month

+2.5%

vs US Median

-$1

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Merced · $1,964

More expensive than 57% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

63/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 6% below what Merced's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,964/mo

Expected by trend

$2,098/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Merced's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,090

1 BR

$1,247

2 BR

$1,533

3 BR

$2,113

4 BR+

$2,577

Research median

$1,533/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$23,568/yr

At $1,964/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 7.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+7.8% YoY, +2.5% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Merced, CA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 20.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

91,953

Median income

$63,122

Median age

Renters

54.1%

Age distribution

29.9%

28.4%

21.9%

Under 1829.9%

18–3428.4%

35–5421.9%

55–649.5%

65+10.4%

Gender

49.9%

50.1%

Male49.9%

Female50.1%

Race & ethnicity

28.9%

60.1%

White28.9%

Black5%

Hispanic60.1%

Asian9.6%

Education (25+)

23.1%

26.2%

30.5%

20.2%

No HS diploma23.1%

HS diploma26.2%

Some college30.5%

Bachelor's+20.2%

Housing tenure

45.9%

54.1%

Owner45.9%

Renter54.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Merced, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,378 → $1,964

up 42.5%

Income

$52,305 → $63,122

up 20.7%

Population

85,993 → 91,953

up 6.9%

Renter share

58.1% → 54.1%

-4.0 pts

Bachelor's+

16.7% → 20.2%

+3.5 pts

Since 2021, the typical rent in Merced, CA has increased from $1,378 to $1,964, a 42.5% change over five years. Household income in the area moved from $52,305 to $63,122 across the same window, up 20.7% versus 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 6.9% since 2021, moving from about 85,993 residents to roughly 91,953. Renters now make up 54.1% of households, compared with 58.1% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 20.2% of adults here, versus 16.7% in 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Merced, CA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Merced

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View Merced rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Merced on your salary?

At $1,964/mo, how Merced rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 21.1% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 29.8% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 25.8% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 14.5% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 11.3% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 31.8% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 35.2% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 28.6% income

affordable

By apartment size

Merced rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Merced. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Merced

About renting in Merced, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Merced is $1,964/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,090/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,533/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,247/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,113/mo.

At 37% of local median household income ($63,122/yr), Merced ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Merced an affordable city for renters?

Merced is considered moderate for renters. At $1,964/mo, rent takes approximately 37% of the local median household income ($63,122/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Merced slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Merced?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $79,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,964/mo in Merced. The local median household income is $63,122/yr, meaning the typical Merced household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Merced?

Rent in Merced has increased 7.8% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Merced neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Merced are 95341 ($1,802/mo), 95340 ($1,845/mo), and 95348 ($2,011/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Merced is $1,964/mo.

How does Merced rent compare to other cities in California?

Merced is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #347 out of 387 tracked cities at $1,964/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Merced?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Merced ($1,964/mo): Atwater ($1,649/mo), Ceres ($1,884/mo).

What percentage of Merced residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 54.1% of Merced households are renters, while 45.9% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Merced has a strong rental market.

How does Merced rent compare to the national average?

Merced's median rent of $1,964/mo is $1 (0%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #347 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

37%

MODERATE

At $1,964/mo, rent takes ~37% of Merced's median household income ($63,122/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Merced 37%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Merced affordability calculator →

Nearby cities