3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Merced, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Merced, California as of July 2026. That's +8% higher than the citywide median of $1,964 and +1% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,492 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,600 |
| 3 | Barstow | $1,639 |
| 4 | Lakeport | $1,650 |
| 5 | Westmont | $1,663 |
| 6 | California City | $1,720 |
| 7 | Clearlake | $1,750 |
| 8 | Red Bluff | $1,780 |
| 9 | El Centro | $1,820 |
| 10 | Florence-Graham | $1,835 |
| 11 | Oroville | $1,840 |
| 12 | Paradise | $1,860 |
| 13 | Florin | $1,875 |
| 14 | Isla Vista | $1,904 |
| 15 | Eureka | $1,910 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | $6,055 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $5,870 |
| 3 | Aptos | $5,870 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $5,850 |
| 5 | Coronado | $5,720 |
| 6 | Foster City | $5,690 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $5,380 |
| 8 | Capitola | $5,340 |
| 9 | Solana Beach | $5,330 |
| 10 | Tiburon | $5,250 |
| 11 | Ladera Ranch | $5,250 |
| 12 | Newport Beach | $5,178 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $5,173 |
| 14 | Coto de Caza | $5,130 |
| 15 | Millbrae | $5,080 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 1 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Merced.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Merced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atwater, CA | 12.4 mi | $2,080 | $-33 (-2%) |
| Turlock, CA | 29.6 mi | $2,205 | +$92 (+4%) |
| Los Banos, CA | 31 mi | $2,430 | +$317 (+15%) |
| Ceres, CA | 36.6 mi | $2,200 | +$87 (+4%) |
| Oakdale, CA | 37.6 mi | $2,200 | +$87 (+4%) |
| Madera, CA | 40 mi | $2,300 | +$187 (+9%) |
| Riverbank, CA | 42.8 mi | $2,280 | +$167 (+8%) |
| Modesto, CA | 43.5 mi | $2,217 | +$104 (+5%) |
| Patterson, CA | 52.9 mi | $2,580 | +$467 (+22%) |
| Fresno, CA | 60.4 mi | $2,209 | +$96 (+5%) |
| Manteca, CA | 60.6 mi | $2,780 | +$667 (+32%) |
| Clovis, CA | 64.8 mi | $2,857 | +$744 (+35%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Merced — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Merced?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Merced, California is $2,113 per month. This is +8% higher than the citywide median of $1,964.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Merced?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $84,520 ($7,043/month gross), which works out to roughly $40.63/hour at a full-time job.
Is Merced expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Merced's 3-bedroom median of $2,113 is +1% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 49th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Merced rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, Merced ranks #28 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Merced?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Atwater ($2,080).