Merced Station
2980 E Yosemite Ave,
Merced, CA 95340
$529 - $1,089
2-4 Beds
Merced
Merced, CA Area Guide
Situated in California's San Joaquin Valley, Merced combines agricultural heritage with educational opportunities. Located less than two hours from Yosemite National Park, the city serves as a convenient gateway to this natural wonder. The University of California, Merced campus - the first research university built in the U.S. in the 21st century - contributes to the local community. Rental options span throughout the city's 23 square miles, with current average rents ranging from $744 for studios to $1,638 for three-bedroom homes, showing moderate year-over-year increases between 1.1% and 3.2%.
Downtown Merced centers around the restored Art Deco Merced Theatre and Bob Hart Square. Lake Yosemite offers opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating, while the Merced County Courthouse Museum preserves local history. The area maintains its agricultural significance as California's sixth-largest producing county. Notable neighborhoods include the north Merced area and the communities surrounding Merced College. The Mediterranean climate features mild winters and warm summers, ideal for exploring the city's parks and recreational areas. Current rental trends indicate steady market growth, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $1,175 monthly, reflecting more affordable options compared to California's coastal areas.
Rent Trends
As of March 2026, the average apartment rent in Merced, CA is $737 for a studio, $1,189 for one bedroom, $1,443 for two bedrooms, and $1,653 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Merced has decreased by -0.5% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,189/month
632 Sq Ft
House
$2,070/month
1,410 Sq Ft
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Merced, CA is for everyday living.
Somewhat Walkable
53
/ 100
You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.
Bikeable
55
/ 100
While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.
Scores provided by Walk Score
Schools
Public
Grades K-5
Public
Grades K-8
Public
Grades K-5
Public
Grades K-5
Public
Grades K-5
Public
Grades K-8
Public
Grades 6-8
Public
Grades 6-8
Public
Grades 6-8
Public
Grades K-8
Public
Grades 9-12
Public
Grades K-12
Public
Grades 9-12
Public
Grades 9-12
Public
Grades 9-12
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Applegate Park Zoo
- Yosemite Lake
Military Bases
Top Apartments in Merced
Houses for Rent in Merced
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.