Rents are 2% below what Merced's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,059 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Merced, CA has changed in 5 years
Since 2021, the typical rent in Merced, CA has increased from $1,378 to $2,059, a 49.4% 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.
Discussions about Merced
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Can you afford rent in Merced on your salary?
At $2,059/mo, how Merced rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Merced rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Merced. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Merced
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Merced is $2,059/mo as of August 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 39% of local median household income ($63,122/yr), Merced ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 13.1% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Merced an affordable city for renters?
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Which Merced neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
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What percentage of Merced residents rent vs. own?
How does Merced rent compare to the national average?
At $2,059/mo, rent takes ~39% of Merced's median household income ($63,122/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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