Cheap Apartments for Rent in Merced County, CA from $879 (47 Rentals)

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

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958 Barney St
$1,100

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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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.

property at 144 S Parsons Ave
$1,150 - $1,350
1 To 2 Bedroom Rentals
Available Now
Affordability

144 S Parsons Ave

MercedCA95341
property at 154 S Parsons Ave
$1,150 - $1,295
1 To 2 Bedroom Rentals
Available Now
Affordability

154 S Parsons Ave

MercedCA95341

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
  • Utilities Included
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Laurel Glen
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Laurel Glen

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

Redwood Apartments

2307-2359 Redwood AveAtwater, CA 95301
  • Utilities Included
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340-347
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

340-347

149-163 W 11th StMerced, CA 95341
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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
  • Utilities Included
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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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E12th 101
1 Bedroom Apartments

E12th 101

101 E 12th StMerced, CA 95341
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Galaxie Apartments
2 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Galaxie Apartments

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

Bear Creek

1509 N Plainsburg RdPlanada, CA 95365
  • Utilities Included

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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Crest Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Crest Apartments

341-351 W 21st StMerced, CA 95340
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633 I Street
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

633 I Street

631-637 I StLos Banos, CA 93635
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Saratoga
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Saratoga

669 Loughborough DrMerced, CA 95348
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Brookdale North
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Brookdale North

344 Brookdale DrMerced, CA 95340
Student Housing
  • Utilities Included
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1002kst
2 Bedroom Apartments

1002kst

1002-1018 K StMerced, CA 95341
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River Glen Apartments
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

River Glen Apartments

2560 Glen AveMerced, CA 95340
  • Utilities Included

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.

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. 340-347 in the Gateways neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $825. 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
340-3470BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$825
E12th 1011BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$1,000
Merced StationD24BR,4BA$1,046
Brookdale Gardens0BR/1.0BAStudio,1BA$1,095
633 I Street1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$1,100
Osito Apartments1X11BR,1BA$1,125
1002kst2BR/1.0BA2BR,1BA$1,150
147 N. Parsons Ave.1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$1,200

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Merced County, CA

As of September 11, 2026 the best value apartment in the Merced County area is the $1.38 price per square foot Lancaster Model at Castle Vista Senior Duplex Community in the in the Claremont Reserve in Atwater neighborhood starting from $1,705. The second greatest value Merced County apartment is the 1422 Lansing St Model at 1422 Lansing St, Unit NA starting at $1,850 with a $1.56 price per square foot in the The Crossings at Fahrens Creek 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.
Castle Vista Senior Duplex CommunityLancaster3BR,2BA$1.38
1422 Lansing St, Unit NA1422 Lansing St3BR,2BA$1.56
Village TerraceManor2BR,2BA$1.54
The VillagesYale2BR,2BA$1.68
Shadowbrook Drive (1923-1933)2BR/1.5BA2BR,1.5BA$1.60
Northwood Village2x1 Redwood2BR,1BA$1.72
Willow Glen2 Bedroom 1 Bath2BR,1.5BA$1.73
3310 R St, Unit B3310 R St2BR,1.5BA$1.59
The Retreat at MercedTwo Bedroom/One Bathroom2BR,1BA$1.15
1047 W 19TH STModel 22BR,1BA$1.63

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 $1,600.

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 28 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 $612 which is $988 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

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Practical Tips for Renters: How to Identify a Great Rental and Avoid Red Flags

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Renters want to find a great apartment, the right place for them, one that checks all the boxes of location, rental cost, amenities, safety, and more.

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First Apartment Regrets: Real Renters Share What They'd Do Differently

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Hindsight is 20/20. Live and Learn. With age comes wisdom. We’re familiar with all those expressions, and all of them apply to lessons first-time renters learn.