Cost of living index
Merced, CA
98.3 / 100
Living in Merced, CA is 1.7% cheaper than the US average.
Overall prices
98.3
Housing / rent
78.6
vs US average
−1.7%
What it costs to live in Merced, CA
Merced, CA has an overall price level of 98.3 compared with the national average of 100, meaning everyday costs run about 1.7% lower than a typical US metro. Housing tells the sharper story: at 78.6 it is 21.4% below the national average. Because rent and mortgage payments are the biggest line in most household budgets, that housing figure is usually what you’ll feel most when you move here.
Common questions
Is Merced, CA an expensive place to live?
Merced, CA has an overall cost-of-living index of 98.3, where 100 is the US average. That makes it about 1.7% cheaper than the country as a whole.
Is housing expensive in Merced, CA?
Housing in Merced, CA scores 78.6 against a US average of 100 — roughly 21.4% below average. Housing is usually the largest single cost, so it drives most of the overall difference.
How does Merced, CA compare to the US average cost of living?
Overall prices in Merced, CA sit at 98.3 versus 100 for the US average, with housing at 78.6. Figures come from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis for 2024.