Cheap Apartments for Rent in Merced, CA from $500 (77 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Merced.

property at 1495 Breezeway Ct

$750

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$750

Total Monthly Price
$750

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Home for Rent

Available Jul 1

1495 Breezeway Ct

MercedCA95340

What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much

Learn the official definition (spending 30% or more of your gross income on housing) and how to calculate your exact rent-to-income ratio. This guide offers expert tips on factoring in total housing costs (including utilities and fees) and budgeting accurately to avoid unnecessary financial strain.

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958 Barney St
$1,100
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,100

Total Monthly Price
$1,100
1 Bedroom Apartment Available Now

958 Barney St

958 Barney StMerced, CA 95340
Affordability
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2177 Weston Way
$1,175
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,175

Total Monthly Price
$1,175
1 Bedroom Apartment Available Now

2177 Weston Way

2177 Weston WayMerced, CA 95340
Affordability
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property at 139 W 18th St

$1,245

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Rentals

Available Now

8

139 W 18th St
MercedCA95340

Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between

Thinking about getting a co-signer for your rental application? We break down what a co-signer is, the potential benefits, and the serious risks for both parties. Find out if it's the right choice for you.

property at 132 W 18th St

$1,345

2 Bedroom, 1 Bath Rentals

Available Now

2

132 W 18th St
MercedCA95340
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Swiss Colony
$1,350 - $2,200
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,350 - $2,200

Total Monthly Price
$1,350 - $2,200
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Swiss Colony

3075 Park AveMerced, CA 95348
Pet Friendly
  • Verified
  • Utilities Included
  • 3D Tour

Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting

Discover how your credit score impacts your ability to lease or buy a home. Learn how credit scores are determined, how to check yours, and strategies to improve it for real estate success.

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3310 R St, Unit A
$1,400
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,400

Total Monthly Price
$1,400
2 Bedroom Apartment Available Now

3310 R St, Unit A

3310 R StMerced, CA 95348
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Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

When searching for a roommate, follow this list of essential steps and set clear expectations to create a solid foundation for a harmonious living situation.

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175 W Alexander Ave
$1,500
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,500

Total Monthly Price
$1,500
2 Bedroom Apartment Available Now

175 W Alexander Ave

175 W Alexander AveMerced, CA 95348
  • Smoke Free
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Sierra Meadows
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Sierra Meadows

720 W 15th StMerced, CA 95340
Senior Living
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Yosemite Apartments
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Yosemite Apartments

3270-3278 Denver AveMerced, CA 95348
  • Utilities Included
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The Grove Merced
2 to 4 Bedroom Apartments

The Grove Merced

340 S Parsons AveMerced, CA 95341

How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide

Finding the right apartment starts with three things: location, cost, and amenities. Get the insider perspective from a real estate professional on how to nail all three.

Merced, CA Local Guide

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Local Guide Expert

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Merced, CA

Pricing Updated: 06/20/2026

Current apartment rentals in the Merced, CA area range in price from $529 to $2,280 with an overall median price of $1,835. The three Merced neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Fairview Meadows at $995, Central Merced at $825, and Southwest Merced at $825. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Merced Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Fairview Meadows$1,150$9959
Central Merced$1,462$82522
Southwest Merced$1,562$82518
Downtown Merced$1,720$82556
Gateways$1,720$82536
South Merced$1,722$1,10022
Claremont Reserve in Atwater$1,860$1,3959
Fahren's Park$2,080$1,10044
Mill House at Fahrens Creek$2,080$1,10037
North Merced$2,097$82516

Cheapest Available Merced Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Merced, CA is a 4 Beds unit found at Merced Station in the Reverie neighborhood priced from $529. 617 W Santa Fe Ave in the Gateways neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $895. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Merced apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Merced StationD24BR,4BA$529
617 W Santa Fe Ave1 Bed, 1 bath1BR,1BA$895
Crest Apartments2 Beds, 1 Baths2BR,1BA$1,050
3372-3378 San Mateo Ct2 Beds, 2 Baths2BR,2BA$1,050
Osito Apartments1X11BR,1BA$1,075
Brookdale Gardens0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,095
Grand Resort Apartments2 Bedroom Bungalow2BR,1BA$1,345
Swiss ColonyNewly Remodeled 1x11BR,1BA$1,350

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Merced, CA

As of June 20, 2026 the best value apartment in the Merced area is the $1.60 price per square foot 1422 Lansing St Model at 1422 Lansing St, Unit NA in the in the The Crossings at Fahrens Creek neighborhood starting from $1,900. The second greatest value Merced apartment is the RENOVATED 2BR/2.0BA Model at Willowbrook Apartments starting at $1,625 with a $1.59 price per square foot in the Mill House at Fahrens Creek neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Merced apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
1422 Lansing St, Unit NA1422 Lansing St3BR,2BA$1.60
Willowbrook ApartmentsRENOVATED 2BR/2.0BA2BR,2BA$1.59
Merced StationB12BR,2BA$1.20
Garden East Apartments2br, 1b2BR,1BA$1.68
Willow Glen2 Bedroom 1 Bath2BR,1.5BA$1.62
3310 R St, Unit A3310 R St2BR,1BA$1.65
3372-3378 San Mateo Ct2 Beds, 2 Baths2BR,2BA$1.31
Crest Apartments2 Beds, 1 Baths2BR,1BA$1.50
617 W Santa Fe Ave1 Bed, 1 bath1BR,1BA$1.43
958 Barney St958 Barney St1BR,1BA$1.76

Don't Settle: How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money

Discover the insider tips from an attorney and real estate agent on how to negotiate your next apartment lease. Find out what's on the table and what's not, so you can save money and get the best terms possible.

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Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary | ApartmentHomeLiving.com Renter University

From the letter A all the way to the letter Z, the Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary from the content team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provides our visitors and shoppers with a little clarity and helpful guidance in navigating the real estate world through definitions and explainers for the top subjects and terms that someone may come across during the leasing, buying, or selling process.

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Merced Overview

The city of Merced has great health and educational facilities, providing a high quality of life for the locals. Apartments in Merced are readily available both for those who wish to purchase a home and those who want to rent. The city has a number of parks as well as an emerging college town. The prospects of future job growth are great, making the city attractive to young professionals.

Why live in Merced, CA?

Merced city offers high quality of life and looking for apartments in Merced will give you a chance to experience this life. The size of the city will allow you to have the small town feel. There are enough shopping areas to meet your shopping needs and outdoor recreational opportunities are abundant. The levels of crime and drug use are low, making the city a great environment in which to live with your family. There are enough health and education facilities in the city, a factor that makes it easy to access the important services.

Merced, CA
Population: 83,316

Ranked #410

in US Census Population by City

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Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

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Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Merced Apartments

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Merced?

The cheapest apartment in Merced is 617 W Santa Fe Ave which is listed at $895, while the average apartment in Merced costs $1,835.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Merced?

Student, low-income, and by-the-bed apartments are typically the cheapest rentals in most cities, though they require qualifying criteria to rent. There are 122 regular apartments in Merced that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.

How do the prices of cheap apartments compare to the average apartment in Merced?

Cheap apartments in Merced have an average cost of $912 which is $923 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Merced.

Expert Rental Resources

The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.

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