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Merced, CA

Cost of living in Merced County, CA

Part of the Merced Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,210/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 285,597 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,227 38%
Healthcare $480 15%
Federal tax $436 14%
Groceries $397 12%
Transport $320 10%
Energy $217 7%
State tax $73 2%
Water $60 2%

Rent in Merced County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,071
per month
1 bedroom
$1,227
per month
2 bedroom
$1,509
per month
3 bedroom
$2,081
per month
4 bedroom
$2,534
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Merced County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$65,044
per year
Individual earnings
$36,747
per year
Per capita
$27,711
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Merced County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$368,400
Annual property tax
$2,487

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Merced County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$167
per month · 30.4¢/kWh
Natural gas
$50
per month
Annual total
$2,604
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Merced County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
9.0%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Merced County

State and local tax rates for California.

State income tax
13.3%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
7.3%
Combined sales tax
8.8%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Merced County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
31.0 min
Drive alone
76.8%
Public transit
0.4%
Work from home
6.4%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Merced County

What it costs to live in Merced County each month.

Single person
$3,210
per month
  • Rent $1,227
  • Energy $217
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $397
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $436
  • State tax $73
Couple
$4,744
per month
  • Rent $1,509
  • Energy $260
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $658
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $734
  • State tax $229
Family
$7,523
per month
  • Rent $2,081
  • Energy $326
  • Water $85
  • Groceries $998
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $734
  • State tax $229

Frequently asked questions about Merced County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Merced County?

In Merced County, CA, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,227 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,509 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,081 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Merced County?

In Merced County, CA, the average household income is $65,044 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $36,747 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Merced County?

The estimated cost of living in Merced County, CA is approximately $3,210 per month for a single person, $4,744 for a couple, $7,523 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Merced County?

The combined sales tax rate in Merced County, CA is 8.85%, which includes the California state rate of 7.25% plus an average local rate of 1.60%.

Is Merced County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Merced County, CA would need approximately $3,210 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $65,044 per year ($5,420 per month). Merced County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Merced County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Merced County, CA is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 9.0% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Merced County?

The average home value in Merced County, CA is $368,400, with average annual property taxes of $2,487, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Merced County compare to other areas?

You can compare Merced County, CA with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Merced County is in the Merced, CA metro area.

Other counties in California

Browse the full list of counties in California, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in California

Compare Merced County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources