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Apartments for Rent in Merced, CA
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Average rent in Merced, CA

$1,262/mo Merced, CA average rental price, February 2023
Image Average Rent

The average monthly rent of apartments in Merced, CA is $1,262.

Merced, CA apartment rent ranges

Merced, CA rent trends

Check out the average rent prices in Merced by neighborhood.

Compared to the national average rent of $1,727, the average rent in Merced, CA is $1,262.

Getting around in Merced, CA

25 /100
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®: 25

Frequently asked questions

When were prices and availability in Merced, CA last updated?

Prices and availability in Merced, CA were last updated on 7 Feb 2023.

What are the best apartments in Merced, CA?

The best apartment in Merced, CA is: 538 Barclay Way.

What is the average rent in Merced, CA?

The average rent in Merced, CA is $1,262. Start your search for apartments in Merced, CA now.

What type of rental buildings are in Merced, CA?

In Merced 57% of the housing is rented out compared to 43% of homes are owned, according to the most recent Census Bureau estimates. 5% of Merced’s apartments are found in large buildings of 50 units or more, 48% are located in smaller apartment complexes with less than 50 units, and 46% are single-family rentals.

What do typical apartment communities look like in Merced, CA?

The average age of rental buildings in Merced is 37 years old, with 19% being newer apartment buildings completed since 2000. The average height of apartment buildings in the city is 2 stories, of which 98% are garden-style apartment communities, 2% are mid-sized buildings, and none are high-rises. These characteristics describe large-scale apartment communities of 50 apartments or more.

What apartment floorplans are common in Merced, CA?

Rental apartments in Merced come in a range of sizes and floorplans. Studio apartments represent 5% of units for rent, ideal for singles, renters on a budget and people who value central locations more than space. Rentals with 1-bedroom floorplans make up 29% of the total apartments in the city, while 2-bedroom floorplans represent around 47% of all rentals in Merced. The rest are larger floorplans with 3 bedrooms or more, typically preferred by families, larger households or roommates sharing space.

Living in Merced, CA

Merced is a small town in central California located halfway between Modesto and Fresno. Merced is known for its proximity to Yosemite National Park, which is less than two hours away by car. The Merced National Wildlife Refuge is also located nearby. As a result, Merced has become very popular among renters who like to spend time outdoors. In addition, many renters in Merced are students or faculty members at the University of California, Merced. Although Merced is a small town, there are plenty of fun places for renters to visit, including museums, parks, movie theaters, and performing arts venues.

Renting in Merced, CA

When compared with similar locations in California, apartments in Merced tend to be more affordable. Many rental properties in Merced are geared toward UC students, especially those located near the university campus. These student-focused rentals tend to be on the smaller side and don’t offer many luxury amenities. However, there are a few apartment properties that take advantage of Merced’s warm weather with community pools. There are also single-family homes available for rent closer to the downtown area. Because the housing market in Merced is very competitive, the selection of rentals available is relatively small, which means that renters will have to move quickly when looking for an apartment. When moving to an apartment in Merced, renters can expect to pay a security deposit. California rental laws limit security deposits to two months’ rent. Many rental apartments in Merced have leases of a year or longer, but there are some short-term rentals as well.

Things for renting

Merced, CA demographics

Merced, CA has a population of 84,081 according to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau. 42,064 of Merced’s residents are women and 42,017 are men. The median age of those who live in Merced, CA is 29.8.

Shopping in Merced, CA

The Merced Mall is one of the most popular places for renters to go shopping in Merced. This mall is home to major department stores as well as specialty clothing and electronics stores. The area around the mall contains several big box retailers, including Target, Kohl’s, Walmart, Lowe’s, and Barnes & Noble. There are plenty of local markets and grocery stores spread throughout Merced as well. These range from large national retailers like Costco to locally owned markets. There are also several specialty grocers that sell Asian and Mexican goods. For local produce and other locally made goods, Merced renters love shopping at the Merced Flea & Farmer’s Market, which is located downtown.

Merced, CA households

  • 18,608 Family
    8,018 Non-family
  • 10,924 Children
    15,702 No Children
  • 26,626Total Number of Households
  • 3.12Average People Per Household
  • $49,973Median Household Income

According to U.S. Census data, there are 26,626 households in Merced, CA. 18,608 are family households and 8,018 are non-family households. There are 10,924 households with children in Merced and 15,702 households without children. On average, about 3.12 people live in a household in Merced, CA.

Transportation in Merced, CA

Driving is the easiest way to get around Merced, and many renters opt to have a car. It helps that most rental communities in Merced also offer parking on-site. While Merced’s downtown area is somewhat walkable, the neighborhoods become more spread out as you get closer to the mountains. Merced is also very bike-friendly. There are several bike trails throughout town, and consistently warm weather means renters can bike all year round. There are some public transportation options available in Merced as well. Merced County Transit runs local bus routes, and UC Merced has its own shuttle service for students and faculty staff. There is also a shuttle service running from Merced to Yosemite National Park. Amtrak also has a stop in Merced, with trains connecting to Sacramento and Oakland.

Merced, CA education statistics

The level of education of the population of Merced, CA is as follows: 13% have no high school education, 35% completed some high school, 28% partially completed college, 9% have an Associate Degree, 10% have a Bachelor Degree, and 5% have a Graduate Degree.

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RentCafe is your one-stop shop for finding a great new apartment in Merced, CA. Easily search through a wide selection of apartments for rent in Merced, CA, and view detailed information about available rentals including floor plans, pricing, photos, amenities, interactive maps, and thorough property descriptions. Property owners and managers are one click away, so feel free to contact them and find out all you need to know about the apartment you’re interested in. Browse Merced, CA apartments with rents starting from $2,350 and submit your rental application today!

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