Living in Merced, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Merced · Census data 2020–2024
Merced has 91,953 residents with a median age of 30. The median household income is $63,122 (36% lower than the California median), the median home value is $372,600, the median rent is $1,393/month.
Merced at a glance
- Population
- 91,953
- Median age
- 30State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $63,122State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $372,600State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $1,393/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 45.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 20.2%
- Average commute
- 29 min
Is Merced a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 49% lower than the state median; an average commute of 29 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 36% lower than the California median; unemployment of 11.3%; a poverty rate of 23.9%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Merced
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Merced the median home value is $372,600, 12% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,393 per month, which is 32.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,895 a month in housing costs.
Merced median household income
The median household income in Merced is $63,122 and the income per person is $27,343. 23.9% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Merced: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 29,758
- Owner-occupied
- 45.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 54.1%
- Vacant
- 6.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1985
- Average household size
- 3.25
Merced demographics
- Population
- 91,953
- Median age
- 30
- Under 18
- 29.9%
- 65 and older
- 10.4%
- Households
- 27,950
- Foreign-born
- 22.1%
- Veterans
- 3.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Merced ›
Education in Merced
20.2% of adults 25 and older in Merced have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 6.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Merced
- Unemployment rate
- 11.3%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 29 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 8.4%
- Drive alone
- 73.6%
- Public transit
- 0.8%
- Walk to work
- 1.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 94.1%
Merced vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced | 91,953 | $63,122 | $372,600 | $1,393 |
| Bear Creek | 346 | $153,088 | — | — |
| Franklin | 7,392 | $58,295 | $308,200 | $1,399 |
| McSwain | 5,783 | $139,131 | $690,100 | $1,516 |
| Atwater | 32,162 | $64,472 | $363,400 | $1,279 |
| Planada | 3,506 | $42,727 | $266,400 | $1,036 |
| Winton | 11,797 | $57,015 | $339,400 | $1,156 |
| El Nido | 510 | $55,486 | $366,700 | $950 |
| Cressey | 386 | $90,333 | $225,000 | — |
More for people moving to Merced
Merced ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Merced: FAQ
What is the median household income in Merced, CA?
The median household income in Merced is $63,122, 36% lower than the California median of $99,122 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Merced?
The median home value in Merced is $372,600, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Merced?
The median gross rent in Merced is $1,393 per month, about 32.7% of household income.
Is Merced, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 49% lower than the state median; an average commute of 29 minutes. Minuses: median household income 36% lower than the California median; unemployment of 11.3%; a poverty rate of 23.9%.
What is the median age in Merced?
The median age in Merced is 30 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Merced?
The average commute to work in Merced is 29 minutes; 8.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Merced?
The unemployment rate in Merced is 11.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Merced?
20.2% of adults in Merced have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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