2026 Affordability Data
Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Merced - 2026 Data
The median home value in Merced is $322,600, 14% above nat'l avg. Median rent is $1,066/month. With an affordability index of 140, Merced is more affordable than the national baseline of 100. We ranked 15 neighborhoods by affordability to help you find the best value in the Merced, CA area.
Key Takeaways: Affordability in Merced
- 1The most affordable neighborhood in Merced is Corona, with a median home value of $624,200.
- 2Merced's median home value is $322,600, 14% above nat'l avg (national: $281,900).
- 3Merced's affordability index is 140 (baseline 100), making it more affordable than the national average.
- 4Median rent in Merced is $1,066/month, 8% below nat'l avg (national: $1,163/month).
- 5We analyzed 15 neighborhoods in Merced to find the most affordable areas based on home values, rent, and affordability index.
Merced Affordability Overview
Median Home Value
$322,600
14% above nat'l avg
Median Rent
$1,066/mo
8% below nat'l avg
Median Income
$59,233
21% below nat'l avg
Affordability Index
140
40% above nat'l avg
Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Merced (Ranked)
| Rank | Neighborhood | Median Home Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CoronaCA | $624,200 |
| 2 | RosevilleCA | $596,700 |
| 3 | OntarioCA | $513,000 |
| 4 | FontanaCA | $506,600 |
| 5 | Santa RosaCA | $661,700 |
| 6 | Grass ValleyCA | $434,100 |
| 7 | MarysvilleCA | $269,300 |
| 8 | Mill ValleyCA | $2,000,001 |
| 9 | Moreno ValleyCA | $421,400 |
| 10 | FremontCA | $1,231,500 |
| 11 | ParlierCA | $216,200 |
| 12 | GlendaleCA | $992,000 |
| 13 | HaywardCA | $775,700 |
| 14 | Elk GroveCA | $560,500 |
| 15 | VisaliaCA | $316,600 |
Detailed Neighborhood Profiles
Home Value: $624,200
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 158,346
Walk Score: 0/100
Home Value: $596,700
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 148,879
Walk Score: 0/100
Home Value: $513,000
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 176,326
Walk Score: 0/100
4
Home Value: $506,600
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 209,279
Walk Score: 0/100
5
Home Value: $661,700
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 178,221
Walk Score: 0/100
6
Home Value: $434,100
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 13,964
Walk Score: 0/100
7
Home Value: $269,300
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 12,681
Walk Score: 0/100
8
Home Value: $2,000,001
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 14,199
Walk Score: 0/100
9
Home Value: $421,400
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 209,578
Walk Score: 0/100
10
Home Value: $1,231,500
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 228,795
Walk Score: 0/100
11
Home Value: $216,200
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 14,625
Walk Score: 0/100
12
Home Value: $992,000
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 194,512
Walk Score: 0/100
13
Home Value: $775,700
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 160,602
Walk Score: 0/100
14
Home Value: $560,500
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 176,105
Walk Score: 0/100
15
Home Value: $316,600
Rent: $1,066/mo
Affordability: 140
Population: 141,466
Walk Score: 0/100
Frequently Asked Questions About Affordability in Merced
What is the most affordable neighborhood in Merced, CA?▾
Based on 2026 data, Corona is the most affordable neighborhood in Merced with a median home value of $624,200. Kurby analyzed 15 neighborhoods in the Merced area to compile these rankings.
What is the median home price in Merced, CA?▾
The median home price in Merced is $322,600, which is 14% above nat'l avg. The national median home value is $281,900 (Source: Kurby, 2026).
Is Merced affordable compared to the national average?▾
Merced has an affordability index of 140, which means housing is more affordable than the national baseline of 100. An index above 100 indicates that a median-income household can afford a median-priced home in the area.
What is the average rent in Merced, CA?▾
The median monthly rent in Merced is $1,066. This is 8% below nat'l avg. The national median rent is $1,163/month (Source: Kurby, 2026).
What is the median household income in Merced?▾
The median household income in Merced is $59,233 compared to the national median of $74,580. This metric is important for understanding housing affordability in relation to local earning power (Source: Kurby, 2026).
How many neighborhoods in Merced are below the national average home price?▾
2 out of 15 ranked neighborhoods in Merced have a median home value below the national average of $281,900. The most affordable is Marysville at $269,300 (Source: Kurby, 2026).