1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Merced, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Merced, California as of July 2026. That's +37% lower than the citywide median of $1,964 and +11% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Merced
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Merced
Compare Merced's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $974 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 2 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $3,710 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Merced.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Merced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atwater, CA | 12.4 mi | $1,230 | $-17 (-1%) |
| Turlock, CA | 29.6 mi | $1,215 | $-32 (-3%) |
| Los Banos, CA | 31 mi | $1,430 | +$183 (+15%) |
| Ceres, CA | 36.6 mi | $1,210 | $-37 (-3%) |
| Oakdale, CA | 37.6 mi | $1,210 | $-37 (-3%) |
| Madera, CA | 40 mi | $1,265 | +$18 (+1%) |
| Riverbank, CA | 42.8 mi | $1,260 | +$13 (+1%) |
| Modesto, CA | 43.5 mi | $1,222 | $-25 (-2%) |
| Patterson, CA | 52.9 mi | $1,420 | +$173 (+14%) |
| Fresno, CA | 60.4 mi | $1,274 | +$27 (+2%) |
| Manteca, CA | 60.6 mi | $1,560 | +$313 (+25%) |
| Clovis, CA | 64.8 mi | $1,650 | +$403 (+32%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Merced — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Merced?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Merced, California is $1,247 per month. This is +37% below the citywide median of $1,964.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Merced?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $49,880 ($4,157/month gross), which works out to roughly $23.98/hour at a full-time job.
Is Merced expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Merced's 1-bedroom median of $1,247 is +11% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 40th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Merced rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Merced ranks #32 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Merced?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Atwater ($1,230), Turlock ($1,215), Ceres ($1,210).