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

75.24

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,151 (excluding rent), and $2,471 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,578 (excluding rent), and $4,849 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.75 $19.75

$14.81 $14.81

$49.37 $49.37

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$40.7 $40.7

$204 $204

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.67 $11.67

$10.15 $10.15

$15.22 $15.22

Cappuccino

$5.71 $5.71

$3.93 $3.93

$7.85 $7.85

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

$2.96 $2.96

$1.97 $1.97

$4.93 $4.93

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.02 $2.02

$4.03 $4.03

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$9.03 $9.03

$6.02 $6.02

$10.03 $10.03

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.18 $10.18

$8.15 $8.15

$15.28 $15.28

Milk (1 liter)

$1.23 $1.23

$1.07 $1.07

$2.17 $2.17

White Bread (500g)

$2.74 $2.74

$6.57 $6.57

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.17 $3.17

$2.16 $2.16

$4.86 $4.86

Eggs

$4.99 $4.99

$3.04 $3.04

$9.15 $9.15

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.98 $10.98

$32.95 $32.95

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.35 $15.35

$10.98 $10.98

$30.79 $30.79

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$17.78 $17.78

$15.63 $15.63

$44.71 $44.71

Apples (1kg)

$5.85 $5.85

$3.32 $3.32

$8.92 $8.92

Banana (1kg)

$2.52 $2.52

$1.5 $1.5

$6.69 $6.69

Oranges (1kg)

$1.52 $1.52

$8.92 $8.92

Tomato (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$11.24 $11.24

Potato (1kg)

$2.05 $2.05

$1.43 $1.43

$4.33 $4.33

Onion (1kg)

$3.38 $3.38

$2 $2

$11.25 $11.25

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.03 $1.03

$4.1 $4.1

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.89 $2.89

$0.77 $0.77

$3.58 $3.58

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.16 $10.16

$8.1 $8.1

$13.24 $13.24

Wine (Bottle)

$15.29 $15.29

$10.18 $10.18

$25.49 $25.49

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.28 $2.28

$1.71 $1.71

$2.96 $2.96

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.4 $3.4

$1.69 $1.69

$6.05 $6.05

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.53 $1.53

$2.03 $2.03

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$59.6 $59.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.06 $3.06

$15.28 $15.28

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.64 $1.64

$2.44 $2.44

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$26.78 $26.78

$64.5 $64.5

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.29 $1.29

$1.18 $1.18

$1.49 $1.49

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

$29.4K $29.4K

$36K $36K

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

$27K $27K

$25.8K $25.8K

$27.1K $27.1K

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

$273 $273

$74.3 $74.3

$446 $446

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

$35.04 $35.04

$25.03 $25.03

$80.1 $80.1

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$68.9 $68.9

$50.5 $50.5

$131 $131

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$33.89 $33.89

$10.17 $10.17

$45.76 $45.76

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.98 $13.98

Cinema Ticket

$15.73 $15.73

$15.22 $15.22

$22.32 $22.32

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

$2,002 $2,002

$1,527 $1,527

$2,545 $2,545

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$25.5K $25.5K

$17.7K $17.7K

$39.2K $39.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$52.8 $52.8

$29.79 $29.79

$97.3 $97.3

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$44.62 $44.62

$25.25 $25.25

$70.7 $70.7

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.9 $88.9

$50.5 $50.5

$136 $136

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$138 $138

$80.4 $80.4

$201 $201

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,591 $1,591

$1,417 $1,417

$1,765 $1,765

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,099 $1,099

$660 $660

$1,417 $1,417

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,994 $1,994

$2,991 $2,991

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,858 $1,858

$1,666 $1,666

$2,450 $2,450

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,888 $2,888

$2,845 $2,845

$2,930 $2,930

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,904 $2,904

$2,861 $2,861

$2,947 $2,947

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,566 $3,566

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.

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.