Cost of Living in Merced, CA
Merced, CA — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Merced, CA to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
Prices in Merced, CA vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 98.3 | −1.7% |
| Housing | 78.6 | −21.4% |
| Goods | 105.2 | +5.2% |
| Utilities | 158.3 | +58.3% |
| Other services | 100.3 | +0.3% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Merced, CA
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,116 | $44,640/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,213 | $48,520/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,503 | $60,120/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,067 | $82,680/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,503 | $100,120/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Take-home pay in Merced, CA
- Federal income tax$3,486
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,928
- Medicare (1.45%)$685
- California income tax$883
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$614
- Take-home pay$38,625
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Highest-paying jobs in Merced, CA
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is Merced, CA expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Merced, CA metro area are 98.3% of the U.S. average, with housing at 78.6%. It is the #107 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Merced, CA?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $58,965 in Merced, CA (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $47,220.
How much is rent in Merced, CA?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Merced, CA are $1,116 for a studio, $1,213 for one bedroom, $1,503 for two bedrooms and $2,067 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
All salaries in Merced, CA
Management Occupations
- General and Operations Manager — $94,990
Community and Social Service Occupations
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $60,200
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $100,120
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $99,600
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term — $60,770
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $44,680
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Registered Nurse — $131,620
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Nursing Assistant — $44,730
- Medical Assistant — $39,800
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $34,320
Protective Service Occupations
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $82,540
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $45,490
- Cooks, Fast Food — $40,430
- Food Preparation Worker — $38,980
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $38,200
- Waiter and Waitress — $34,320
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
Sales and Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $51,190
- Retail Salesperson — $37,740
- Cashier — $35,340
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $68,070
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $51,740
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $51,710
- Office Clerks, General — $46,830
- Customer Service Representative — $45,670
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $56,700
Production Occupations
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $55,630
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $44,520
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $41,890
- Stocker and Order Filler — $38,080
- Packers and Packagers, Hand — $34,320