Featured Rentals
Special Interest
Housing in Merced County
Both Census and HUD figures represent gross rent — contract rent plus estimated utility costs for electricity, heat, water, and sewer.
Rent in Merced County averages $1,343/month for a 2‑bedroom in 2024, compared to the California median of $2,036 and the national median of $1,413. Local renters spend approximately 32% of household income on rent, equal to the national average of 32%.
HUD 2026 50th Percentile Rent Estimates for Merced County FMR Area are $1,196 for a studio, $1,299 for 1‑bedroom, $1,610 for 2‑bedroom, $2,214 for 3‑bedroom, and $2,681 for 4‑bedroom.
HUD 2026 Rent Estimates reflect market movement since 2024 Census data — a $267 increase for a 2-bedroom in Merced County shows a 20% rise over that period.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics annual unemployment rate for Merced County was 9.8% in 2024, compared to California at 5.3% and the national rate of 4.0%.
