Average Rent in Merced, CA
What is the average rent in Merced, CA?
The average listed apartment rent in Merced, CA is $819 per month, as of November 3, 2026. This sample includes 1 priced apartment in 1 building. These are tracked asking prices, not signed leases.
We use published total monthly rent when known and base rent otherwise. Unknown fees remain unknown. Buildings without a qualifying price do not count in this sample. The guide directory can include more buildings.
1 apartment buildings, 1 units. Recorded asking prices and price history where available.
Browse apartments in Merced, CAAvg Rent
$819/mo
market average
Cheapest
$819/mo
The Retreat at Merced Apartments
Properties
1
tracked daily
Units
1
available now
Merced, CA Resident Access
City Club members share insider gate codes, parking links, and amenity tips.
Analysis
Rent Price Breakdown
Compare pricing across all 1 properties in Merced, CA.
Average Rent by Property
Starting Price vs Average
Price per Square Foot
Merced, CA Rent Prices
All 1 properties ranked by lowest available rent.
| # | Property | From | Avg | $/sqft | Rating | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Retreat at Merced Apartments 1137 B St, Merced, CA 95341, USA | $819 | $819 | $1.39/ft² | 4.7 (12) | 1 |
Rent & Price History by Building
Compare apartment listings by price, bedrooms, and neighborhood.
By Area
Merced, CA neighborhoods
Tracked buildings across 2 named neighborhoods. Pick one to see its apartments.
Merced, CA Average Rent Prices 2026
The average listed rent in Merced, CA is $819 per month, based on 1 units across 1 apartment communities. Prices range from $819 at The Retreat at Merced Apartments to $819 at The Retreat at Merced Apartments.
We schedule daily price checks. The included observations can have different dates. Request an area we do not cover so we can review it for coverage.
Market Context
Who rents in Merced, CA, and what they pay
Tracked one-bedroom rent in Merced, CA averages $819/mo . At the local median household income of $59,938, that works out to 16% of gross income, well within the 25 percent comfortable-rent threshold.
The U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 2023 release pegged median gross rent in Merced, CA at $1,293/mo. The current tracked market average runs 37% below that benchmark, reflecting both two to three years of rent growth and the fact that the Census figure covers all renter-occupied housing in Merced, CA while the tracked market average covers units currently listed in larger apartment communities.
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Merced, CA?
Built on the 25 to 30 percent rent-to-income guideline used by most landlords and credit-scoring models.
Minimum to afford average rent
$33,000/year
Based on the 30 percent rule, using our tracked average rent of $819/mo.
Comfortable income
$39,000/year
Based on the 25 percent rule, leaving more room for savings, transport, and groceries.
Median household income in Merced, CA is $59,938 , about 52% above the comfortable-living threshold.
Cost of living in Merced, CA
Overall prices in Merced, CA matches the national average by about 0% (BEA Regional Price Parity index 99.6, where 100 equals the U.S. average). The breakdown below estimates monthly costs for a single adult, using national consumer-spending baselines from the Bureau of Labor Statistics scaled by Merced, CA's regional price parities.
| Category | Monthly estimate |
|---|---|
| Rent (market average) | $819 |
| Utilities | $330 |
| Groceries | $567 |
| Transportation | $787 |
| Healthcare | $384 |
| Other goods and services | $614 |
| Estimated total | $3,500/mo |
Population
89,766
Median household income
$59,938
Census median rent
$1,293/mo
Census rent burden
32.0%
Median age
29.8
Mean commute
27 min
Methodology
Rent data
We use listed asking rents and schedule daily data updates. Individual buildings can have different verification dates. Check the building or unit page for its latest price and availability.
Cost of living
Estimates combine national consumer-spending baselines from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Consumer Expenditure Survey) with the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (MARPP dataset). Both are peer-reviewed federal data releases published annually.
Salary to live comfortably
We estimate annual income by dividing annual rent by 30 percent for the affordability figure and 25 percent for the comfortable-income figure. These estimates are a guide, not a guarantee of rental approval.
Demographic figures
Median household income, population, median age, commute time, Census median rent, and rent as percentage of income come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-year estimates, the most recent complete release.
Cost of living and demographic figures were last published in 2023.
Compare
Nearby cities in California
How Merced, CA rent compares to other markets in the state.
| City | Avg Rent | vs Merced, CA | 30-Day Change | Properties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $3,104 | +279% | -5% | 50 |
| San Diego, CA | $3,370 | +311% | -5.5% | 36 |
| Anaheim, CA | $2,881 | +252% | +1.8% | 34 |
| EL Cajon, CA | $2,261 | +176% | -8.8% | 33 |
| Hayward, CA | $2,730 | +233% | -5.6% | 32 |
| San Francisco, CA | $5,205 | +536% | +7.5% | 32 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Merced, CA?
The average listed apartment rent in Merced, CA is $819 per month, as of November 3, 2026. This sample includes 1 priced apartment in 1 building. These are tracked asking prices, not signed leases.
What is the cheapest apartment rent in Merced, CA?
The lowest available rent in Merced, CA starts at $819 per month. Confirm current availability, fees, and lease terms with the selected listing.
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Merced, CA?
1-bedroom apartments in Merced, CA average $819/mo. The lowest listed 1-bedroom starts at $819/mo across 1 units tracked.
Rent Trends in Merced, CA
Track how apartment prices are changing over time.
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