Cheap Apartments for Rent in Merced, CA from $500 (10 Rentals)

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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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Saratoga
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Saratoga

669 Loughborough DrMerced, CA 95348
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The Grove Merced
2 to 4 Bedroom Apartments

The Grove Merced

340 S Parsons AveMerced, CA 95341
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Ridgeview Meadows
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Ridgeview Meadows

2111 Cold Springs AveMerced, CA 95341
  • Utilities Included
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2355 K St
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

2355 K St

2355 K StMerced, CA 95340
  • Utilities Included

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Merced, CA Local Guide

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Local Guide Expert

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Merced, CA

Pricing Updated: 03/21/2026

Current apartment rentals in the Merced, CA area range in price from $529 to $2,500 with an overall median price of $1,969. The three Merced neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Fairview Meadows at $1,050, Central Merced at $789, and Southwest Merced at $789. 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$1,400$1,0503
Central Merced$1,500$78912
Southwest Merced$1,575$78912
Reverie$1,595$52921
Mill House at Fahrens Creek$1,810$1,25019
Claremont Reserve in Atwater$1,860$1,0009
Gardenstone at Bellevue Ranch$1,905$1,09511
The Crossings at Fahrens Creek$1,920$1,09516
North Merced$2,040$82516
Downtown Merced$2,500$78943

Cheapest Available Merced Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Merced, CA is a 1 Bed unit found at The Retreat at Merced in the Central Merced neighborhood priced from $528. Merced Station in the Reverie neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 4 Beds apartment currently listed from $529. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Merced apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
The Retreat at MercedOne Bedroom/One Bathroom1BR,1BA$528
Merced StationD24BR,4BA$529
617 W Santa Fe Ave1 Bed, 1 bath1BR,1BA$895

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Merced, CA

As of March 21, 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 1420 Lansing St Model at 1420 Lansing St starting at $1,700 with a $1.55 price per square foot in the The Crossings 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
1420 Lansing St1420 Lansing St2BR,2BA$1.55
Willowbrook ApartmentsRENOVATED 2BR/2.0BA2BR,2BA$1.59
Bear Creek NorthThe Harbor Remodel W/D Hook Ups2BR,1.5BA$1.75
Merced StationB12BR,2BA$1.20
The VillagesYale2BR,2BA$1.70
Willow Glen2 Bedroom 1 Bath2BR,1.5BA$1.73
Castle Apartments212BR,1BA$1.82
617 W Santa Fe Ave1 Bed, 1 bath1BR,1BA$1.43
The Retreat at MercedOne Bedroom/One Bathroom1BR,1BA$0.89

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How much rent can you afford?

The common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.

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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.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Merced Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Merced?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Merced is under $1,395.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Merced?

The cheapest apartment in Merced is The Retreat at Merced which is listed at $528, while the average apartment in Merced costs $1,969.

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 39 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 $789 which is $1,180 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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Packing up everything you own to move is so stressful for many that ending your apartment lease can feel like a small or unimportant task. Ending your lease involves more than simply turning over your keys on the last day.

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Renting with Roommates: Realistic Expectations for Shared Lease

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Given the high costs for housing, I have found that many people are looking for a roommate to share expenses. These arrangements can increase opportunities for more desirable and larger spaces.