
Cheap Apartments for Rent in Merced, CA from $500 (10 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Merced.


617 W Santa Fe Ave

The Retreat at Merced

Sierra Meadows

Yosemite Apartments
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Saratoga

The Grove Merced

Ridgeview Meadows

2355 K St

Sunny View Apartments
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Merced, CA Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Merced?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheap Merced Studio Apartments | $994 | $789 | $1,100 |
| Cheap Merced 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,367 | $825 | $1,675 |
| Cheap Merced 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,472 | $645 | $2,060 |
| Cheap Merced 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,621 | $1,045 | $2,200 |
| Cheap Merced 4 Bedroom Apartments | $892 | $529 | $2,500 |
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Merced, CA Local Guide

- Merced Neighborhoods
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Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Merced, CA
Pricing Updated: 03/21/2026Current 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:
| Neighborhood | Median Price | Min Price | Available Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairview Meadows | $1,400 | $1,050 | 3 |
| Central Merced | $1,500 | $789 | 12 |
| Southwest Merced | $1,575 | $789 | 12 |
| Reverie | $1,595 | $529 | 21 |
| Mill House at Fahrens Creek | $1,810 | $1,250 | 19 |
| Claremont Reserve in Atwater | $1,860 | $1,000 | 9 |
| Gardenstone at Bellevue Ranch | $1,905 | $1,095 | 11 |
| The Crossings at Fahrens Creek | $1,920 | $1,095 | 16 |
| North Merced | $2,040 | $825 | 16 |
| Downtown Merced | $2,500 | $789 | 43 |
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 Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Retreat at Merced | One Bedroom/One Bathroom | 1BR,1BA | $528 |
| Merced Station | D2 | 4BR,4BA | $529 |
| 617 W Santa Fe Ave | 1 Bed, 1 bath | 1BR,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 Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1422 Lansing St, Unit NA | 1422 Lansing St | 3BR,2BA | $1.60 |
| 1420 Lansing St | 1420 Lansing St | 2BR,2BA | $1.55 |
| Willowbrook Apartments | RENOVATED 2BR/2.0BA | 2BR,2BA | $1.59 |
| Bear Creek North | The Harbor Remodel W/D Hook Ups | 2BR,1.5BA | $1.75 |
| Merced Station | B1 | 2BR,2BA | $1.20 |
| The Villages | Yale | 2BR,2BA | $1.70 |
| Willow Glen | 2 Bedroom 1 Bath | 2BR,1.5BA | $1.73 |
| Castle Apartments | 21 | 2BR,1BA | $1.82 |
| 617 W Santa Fe Ave | 1 Bed, 1 bath | 1BR,1BA | $1.43 |
| The Retreat at Merced | One Bedroom/One Bathroom | 1BR,1BA | $0.89 |
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Read ArticleQuick Rent Budget Calculator
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.
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.
Best Local Schools in Merced, CA
Allan Peterson Elementary
Herbert Hoover Middle
School data provided by Great Schools
Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:Location, Location, Location!
Explore Merced, CA Rentals by Map
See the most popular apartments and homes in Merced, CA
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.
Articles, How-To's, and Tips

Maximizing Your Refund: Essential Tax Tips for Renters
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Other than tax professionals, I can’t think of anyone who looks forward to tax season. For everybody else, April is a stressful month to collect information and meet deadlines.

18 Must-Ask Rental Tour Questions That Reveal the Truth about a Property
Written by: Lauren Harrington
Renting your next home can feel thrilling and overwhelming at the same time.

A Renters Guide for Tips on Writing Your Notice for Not Renewing Your Apartment
Written by: Bob Mallory
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.

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.