Cost of Living in Merced, CA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,031 (excluding rent), and $2,546 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,683 (excluding rent), and $4,825 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.97 $19.97

$14.98 $14.98

$49.92 $49.92

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$40.05 $40.05

$200 $200

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.30 $11.30

$9.82 $9.82

$14.74 $14.74

Cappuccino

$5.85 $5.85

$4.02 $4.02

$8.04 $8.04

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.96 $2.96

$1.98 $1.98

$4.94 $4.94

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.97 $1.97

$3.95 $3.95

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.86 $8.86

$5.91 $5.91

$9.85 $9.85

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.13 $10.13

$8.11 $8.11

$15.20 $15.20

Milk (1 liter)

$1.18 $1.18

$1.02 $1.02

$2.08 $2.08

White Bread (500g)

$2.78 $2.78

$6.66 $6.66

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.17 $3.17

$2.16 $2.16

$4.87 $4.87

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$2.98 $2.98

$8.97 $8.97

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.19 $11.19

$33.58 $33.58

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.45 $15.45

$11.05 $11.05

$30.99 $30.99

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$17.29 $17.29

$15.20 $15.20

$43.49 $43.49

Apples (1kg)

$5.67 $5.67

$3.21 $3.21

$8.63 $8.63

Banana (1kg)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.47 $1.47

$6.57 $6.57

Oranges (1kg)

$1.46 $1.46

$8.61 $8.61

Tomato (1kg)

$4.29 $4.29

$10.69 $10.69

Potato (1kg)

$2.15 $2.15

$1.50 $1.50

$4.53 $4.53

Onion (1kg)

$3.39 $3.39

$2.01 $2.01

$11.28 $11.28

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.01 $1.01

$4.05 $4.05

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.78 $2.78

$0.74 $0.74

$3.44 $3.44

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.68 $9.68

$7.72 $7.72

$12.62 $12.62

Wine (Bottle)

$14.73 $14.73

$9.81 $9.81

$24.55 $24.55

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.26 $2.26

$1.69 $1.69

$2.93 $2.93

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.33 $3.33

$1.65 $1.65

$5.92 $5.92

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.52 $1.52

$2.03 $2.03

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$61.1 $61.1

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.91 $2.91

$14.57 $14.57

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.72 $1.72

$2.55 $2.55

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$27.33 $27.33

$65.8 $65.8

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.24 $1.24

$1.14 $1.14

$1.44 $1.44

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$30.5K $30.5K

$37.4K $37.4K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$27.2K $27.2K

$26.0K $26.0K

$27.3K $27.3K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$276 $276

$75.2 $75.2

$451 $451

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$35.06 $35.06

$25.04 $25.04

$80.1 $80.1

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$69.3 $69.3

$50.8 $50.8

$132 $132

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$33.17 $33.17

$9.95 $9.95

$44.79 $44.79

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.16 $14.16

Cinema Ticket

$15.33 $15.33

$14.84 $14.84

$21.76 $21.76

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,947 $1,947

$1,485 $1,485

$2,475 $2,475

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$26.0K $26.0K

$18.0K $18.0K

$40.1K $40.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.6 $53.6

$30.24 $30.24

$98.8 $98.8

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$44.13 $44.13

$24.97 $24.97

$69.9 $69.9

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.2 $88.2

$50.1 $50.1

$135 $135

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$135 $135

$79.0 $79.0

$197 $197

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,641 $1,641

$1,462 $1,462

$1,821 $1,821

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,084 $1,084

$651 $651

$1,398 $1,398

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,020 $2,020

$3,029 $3,029

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,926 $1,926

$1,727 $1,727

$2,539 $2,539

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,937 $2,937

$2,894 $2,894

$3,003 $3,003

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,837 $2,837

$2,795 $2,795

$2,901 $2,901

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,292 $3,292

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.36

6.19

6.8

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: January 12, 2026

Merced, CA Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

319

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Merced, CA - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Merced, CA, United States is generally moderate for its region and supports a comfortable base for longer stays. The city mixes affordable apartments and family-friendly homes with smaller city-center conveniences, which helps travelers and nomads keep expenses predictable. Plan around housing first, since rent can be the biggest line item; then balance groceries, dining out, and transit to fit a flexible schedule. Proximity to parks, the Merced River, and UC Merced adds value without inflating costs if you choose areas a short bike ride from campus. Tip: Build a simple monthly budget that prioritizes housing, transit, and occasional meals out to test value quickly.

Daily life in Merced blends a smaller-city pace with practical access to groceries, dining options, and a growing set of coworking spaces. For housing, look beyond dorm-like rentals and explore updated apartments near downtown, university corridors, or quieter neighborhoods with easy bike routes. Food options range from home cooking to casual eateries; you can often find affordable grocery runs by planning a weekly shop. Transportation leans toward car reliance, with some bus routes and bike-friendly streets; car-sharing or shuttle options to the university can save time. Merced living cost considerations come into play when choosing a commute radius that fits work or study plans. Tip: Use a trial week to test different neighborhoods before committing to a lease.

Quality of life in Merced can feel balanced for long stays if you align budget with lifestyle choices. Build a simple budgeting framework: fixed housing, flexible groceries, and occasional experiences. Seasonality influences what you pay for energy and outdoor activities; hot months may raise cooling needs, while cooler periods enable more walking and biking. Neighborhood fit matters: downtown offers walkability and access to amenities, while outer areas tend to be quieter and more affordable. Look for community resources, farmers markets, and library events to stretch a budget without sacrificing quality. Tip: test several neighborhoods during a weekend, note daily routines, and track small savings like transit passes or bike maintenance to see where value hides.