Cheap Apartments for Rent in Merced County, CA from $500 (35 Rentals)

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

Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals

Find income-restricted rentals and housing subsidies. Explore government programs designed to help low-income families secure stable, affordable housing.

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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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Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It

From theft to fire to water damage, the unexpected can happen to any renter. Discover why renters insurance is one of the smartest and most affordable investments you can make as a tenant.

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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
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Laurel Glen
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Laurel Glen

777 Loughborough DrMerced, CA 95348
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Redwood Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Redwood Apartments

2307-2359 Redwood AveAtwater, CA 95301
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Aptos Park
1 Bedroom Apartments

Aptos Park

2849 Nashua StAtwater, CA 95301
  • Utilities Included

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.

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1701-1719 Elm Ave
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

1701-1719 Elm Ave

1701-1719 Elm AveAtwater, CA 95301
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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
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2355 K St
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

2355 K St

2355 K StMerced, CA 95340
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Galaxie Apartments
2 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Galaxie Apartments

836-848 Mercey Springs RdLos Banos, CA 93635
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Bear Creek
2 to 4 Bedroom Apartments

Bear Creek

1509 N Plainsburg RdPlanada, CA 95365
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What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much

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Crest Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Crest Apartments

341-351 W 21st StMerced, CA 95340
Showing Results 1-35, Page 1 of 1

Cheapest Available Merced County Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Merced County, CA is a 1 Bed unit found at The Retreat at Merced in the Central Merced neighborhood priced from $546. Brookdale Gardens in the The Crossings at Fahrens Creek neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,095. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Merced County apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
The Retreat at MercedOne Bedroom/One Bathroom1BR,1BA$546
Brookdale Gardens0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,095
Grand Resort Apartments2 Bedroom Bungalow2BR,1BA$1,345
The VillagesHarvard1BR,1BA$1,445
Osito Apartments3x2 Suite3BR,2BA$1,500
Swiss ColonyNewly Remodeled 2x12BR,1BA$1,550

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Merced County, CA

As of July 28, 2026 the best value apartment in the Merced County area is the $1.61 price per square foot The Lagoon Remodel Model at Bear Creek North in the in the Gateways neighborhood starting from $2,050. The second greatest value Merced County apartment is the Lancaster Model at Castle Vista Senior Duplex Community starting at $1,705 with a $1.38 price per square foot in the Claremont Reserve in Atwater neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Merced County apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Bear Creek NorthThe Lagoon Remodel2BR,2BA$1.61
Castle Vista Senior Duplex CommunityLancaster3BR,2BA$1.38
1422 Lansing St, Unit NA1422 Lansing St3BR,2BA$1.56
Bear Creek Park & Creekside ApartmentsSycamore Upstairs3BR,2BA$1.50
Willowbrook ApartmentsRENOVATED 2BR/2.0BA2BR,2BA$1.59
Osito Apartments3x2 Suite3BR,2BA$1.58
3310 R St, Unit A3310 R St2BR,1BA$1.53
The VillagesHarvard1BR,1BA$1.73
The Retreat at MercedTwo Bedroom/One Bathroom2BR,1BA$1.15
62 W 23rd St, Unit Merced Duplex62 W 23rd St1BR,1BA$1.47

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Merced County Apartments

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Merced County?

The cheapest apartment in Merced County is The Retreat at Merced which is listed at $546, while the average apartment in Merced County costs $2,700.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Merced County?

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 19 regular apartments in Merced County 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 County?

Cheap apartments in Merced County have an average cost of $614 which is $2,086 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Merced County.

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

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Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals

Written by: Robin Stewart

The idea of affordable housing can be subjective. Every individual is in a different place financially and vocationally. What one may easily afford could be a struggle for someone else.

decorative image for Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It article

Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It

Written by: Robin Stewart

Insurance seems to be a part of life. In some states, having insurance is the law, as is the case for automobile insurance. Renters are no exception.

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Apartment Occupancy Rates: Renter Attraction vs Renter Retention

Written by: Robin Stewart

There’s a tenet in marketing about client or customer attraction and retention. Studies and data have consistently shown it costs less to keep a current customer than to attract a new one.

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

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

Written by: Robin Stewart

Evaluating rental properties for clients draws many parallels to house-hunting. Whether an apartment, loft, townhouse, or other rental, finding the right place means finding “home” for your client.