2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Merced, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Merced, California as of July 2026. That's +22% lower than the citywide median of $1,964 and +7% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,107 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,140 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,180 |
| 4 | Barstow | $1,216 |
| 5 | California City | $1,230 |
| 6 | Clearlake | $1,250 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,305 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,330 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,330 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,350 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,360 |
| 12 | Shafter | $1,380 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,390 |
| 14 | Hanford | $1,400 |
| 15 | Tehachapi | $1,440 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | $4,865 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $4,720 |
| 3 | Aptos | $4,720 |
| 4 | Foster City | $4,560 |
| 5 | Cupertino | $4,500 |
| 6 | Capitola | $4,290 |
| 7 | Coronado | $4,280 |
| 8 | Tiburon | $4,210 |
| 9 | Los Altos | $4,170 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $4,070 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $4,040 |
| 12 | Solana Beach | $3,990 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $3,980 |
| 14 | Topanga | $3,940 |
| 15 | Rancho Palos Verdes | $3,940 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 1 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Merced.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Merced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atwater, CA | 12.4 mi | $1,510 | $-23 (-2%) |
| Turlock, CA | 29.6 mi | $1,575 | +$42 (+3%) |
| Los Banos, CA | 31 mi | $1,760 | +$227 (+15%) |
| Ceres, CA | 36.6 mi | $1,570 | +$37 (+2%) |
| Oakdale, CA | 37.6 mi | $1,570 | +$37 (+2%) |
| Madera, CA | 40 mi | $1,640 | +$107 (+7%) |
| Riverbank, CA | 42.8 mi | $1,630 | +$97 (+6%) |
| Modesto, CA | 43.5 mi | $1,582 | +$49 (+3%) |
| Patterson, CA | 52.9 mi | $1,840 | +$307 (+20%) |
| Fresno, CA | 60.4 mi | $1,576 | +$43 (+3%) |
| Manteca, CA | 60.6 mi | $1,985 | +$452 (+29%) |
| Clovis, CA | 64.8 mi | $2,037 | +$504 (+33%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Merced — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Merced?
As of July 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Merced, California is $1,533 per month. This is +22% below the citywide median of $1,964.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Merced?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $61,320 ($5,110/month gross), which works out to roughly $29.48/hour at a full-time job.
Is Merced expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Merced's 2-bedroom median of $1,533 is +7% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 42th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Merced rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, Merced ranks #25 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Merced?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Atwater ($1,510).