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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $995 (excluding rent), and $2,542 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,434 (excluding rent), and $4,703 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.81 $19.81

$14.85 $14.85

$49.52 $49.52

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$40.27 $40.27

$201 $201

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.66 $11.66

$10.14 $10.14

$15.21 $15.21

Cappuccino

$5.9 $5.9

$4.06 $4.06

$8.12 $8.12

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

$3.06 $3.06

$2.04 $2.04

$5.1 $5.1

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.95 $1.95

$3.9 $3.9

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.87 $8.87

$5.91 $5.91

$9.85 $9.85

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.92 $9.92

$7.94 $7.94

$14.89 $14.89

Milk (1 liter)

$1.18 $1.18

$1.02 $1.02

$2.07 $2.07

White Bread (500g)

$2.77 $2.77

$6.64 $6.64

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.26 $3.26

$2.22 $2.22

$5 $5

Eggs

$4.93 $4.93

$3 $3

$9.03 $9.03

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.16 $11.16

$33.5 $33.5

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.53 $15.53

$11.11 $11.11

$31.17 $31.17

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$17.8 $17.8

$15.64 $15.64

$44.76 $44.76

Apples (1kg)

$5.71 $5.71

$3.24 $3.24

$8.71 $8.71

Banana (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$1.52 $1.52

$6.79 $6.79

Oranges (1kg)

$1.52 $1.52

$8.92 $8.92

Tomato (1kg)

$4.34 $4.34

$10.82 $10.82

Potato (1kg)

$2.08 $2.08

$1.45 $1.45

$4.38 $4.38

Onion (1kg)

$3.26 $3.26

$1.93 $1.93

$10.84 $10.84

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.02 $1.02

$4.08 $4.08

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.9 $2.9

$0.77 $0.77

$3.59 $3.59

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.07 $10.07

$8.03 $8.03

$13.13 $13.13

Wine (Bottle)

$18.45 $18.45

$11.97 $11.97

$24.94 $24.94

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.28 $2.28

$1.71 $1.71

$2.96 $2.96

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.41 $3.41

$1.69 $1.69

$6.06 $6.06

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.47 $1.47

$1.96 $1.96

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$59.1 $59.1

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.07 $3.07

$15.37 $15.37

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.72 $1.72

$2.55 $2.55

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$26.51 $26.51

$63.8 $63.8

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.26 $1.26

$1.16 $1.16

$1.46 $1.46

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

$29.8K $29.8K

$36.5K $36.5K

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

$26.6K $26.6K

$25.4K $25.4K

$26.7K $26.7K

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

$271 $271

$74 $74

$444 $444

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

$34.57 $34.57

$24.69 $24.69

$79 $79

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.9 $67.9

$49.8 $49.8

$129 $129

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$33.76 $33.76

$10.13 $10.13

$45.58 $45.58

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.79 $13.79

Cinema Ticket

$15.53 $15.53

$15.03 $15.03

$22.04 $22.04

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

$1,955 $1,955

$1,491 $1,491

$2,485 $2,485

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$25.8K $25.8K

$17.8K $17.8K

$39.7K $39.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54 $54

$30.49 $30.49

$99.6 $99.6

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$44.2 $44.2

$25 $25

$70 $70

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$87.5 $87.5

$49.7 $49.7

$134 $134

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$138 $138

$80.9 $80.9

$202 $202

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,606 $1,606

$1,430 $1,430

$1,782 $1,782

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,089 $1,089

$654 $654

$1,404 $1,404

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,015 $2,015

$3,023 $3,023

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,918 $1,918

$1,720 $1,720

$2,529 $2,529

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,917 $2,917

$2,874 $2,874

$2,982 $2,982

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,914 $2,914

$2,871 $2,871

$2,979 $2,979

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,265 $3,265

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: November 23, 2025

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.