Rows tagged local are specific to Merced (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Merced, CA. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 4/10 (district 0624600 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
99.6
metro-area
#138 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)
104.9
metro-area
#180 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.67
metro-area
#138 of 200
Median household income
$59,233
local
#139 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$33,390
local
#179 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
12.57%
local
#198 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
+6.9%
local
#72 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$322,600
local
#141 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
5.4×
local
#174 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
-1.4%
metro-area
#165 of 200
Price per square foot
$215
local
#167 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
1,500 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,197
local
#154 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)
560
Median days on market
20
metro-area
#114 of 200
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
13.5%
state
#169 of 200
Combined sales tax
8.82%
state
#150 of 200
State income tax (top rate)
13.30%
Capital gains tax
13.30%
state
#180 of 200
High earners
1% Mental Health Services surtax on income over $1M (13.3% top rate)
Effective property tax rate
0.70%
local
#49 of 200
Median property tax paid
$2,270
local
#86 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$7,200
state
#139 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$19,000
state
#178 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$300
state
#174 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
0.65% of value (~$182/yr)
state
#115 of 200
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Smog check every 2 years in most counties
DMV & license offices
3
Avg commute to work
27 min
local
#187 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
35.3¢/kWh
state
#181 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$317
state
#181 of 200
Gasoline
$4.85/gal
state
#182 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$72
state
#100 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$138
state
#159 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$83
state
#135 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,500
state
#51 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$2,400
state
#154 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: wildfire, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$750
state
#90 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$950
state
#182 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
52
metro-area
#151 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,000
metro-area
#78 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
2,200
metro-area
#51 of 200
Avg summer high
84°F
metro-area
#37 of 200
Avg winter low
45°F
metro-area
#20 of 200
Annual precipitation
13.5"
metro-area
#14 of 200
Annual snowfall
0.0"
metro-area
#1 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
75%
metro-area
#11 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
9b
Frost window
01-31 → 12-31
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
500
state
#161 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,330
state
#112 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
29
metro-area
#141 of 200
Parks
9
Hiking areas
9
Golf courses
2
Shooting ranges
2
Lakes
5
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
5
state
#165 of 200
Permit detail
Very difficult; CEQA + local review, esp. SF/coastal
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.