Merced County, California Housing Market
In Merced County, California, the median home value is $391,800, with a median monthly rent of $1,343. This places Merced County at #309 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #39 within California.
📈 Price Trend (2017 → 2024)
📊 Recent Market Momentum (FHFA HPI)
FHFA House Price Index — All-Transactions, Annual (2000 = 100) · Latest: 2025
📍 Economic Snapshot
Employment & Wages
- Avg weekly wage: $999
- Establishments: 8,455
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 697
- Multi-family: 83
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 102,377 (avg $59,727)
- Outflow: 100,278 (avg $59,811)
- IRS Statistics of Income
📍 Sub-Market Activity
Top 10 active ZIP codes in Merced County · Latest: 2025
| # | ZIP Code | HPI | YoY Change | Latest Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 95316 | 313.8 | -8.22% | 2025 |
| 2 | 95334 | 344.1 | -3.27% | 2025 |
| 3 | 95324 | 329.3 | +6.36% | 2025 |
| 4 | 95388 | 384.0 | +6.11% | 2025 |
| 5 | 95322 | 291.3 | +6.00% | 2025 |
| 6 | 95301 | 332.1 | +0.19% | 2025 |
| 7 | 93635 | 250.0 | +0.17% | 2025 |
| 8 | 95315 | 345.3 | +4.97% | 2025 |
| 9 | 95360 | 305.9 | +2.63% | 2025 |
| 10 | 95380 | 348.9 | +3.38% | 2025 |
Source: FHFA HPI for Five-Digit ZIP Codes (All-Transactions Index, 2000 = 100).
This product uses FHFA Data but is neither endorsed nor certified by FHFA.
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💰 Mortgage Guide → 🧾 Property Tax Data →How Merced County Compares
| Metric | Merced County | California Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $391,800 | $609,221 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $1,343 | $1,690 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 54.0% | 63.4% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 24.3 | 28.5 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Merced County is 35.7% below the California state average and 72.1% above the U.S. national average. The median rent of $1,343/month is 20.5% below the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 24.3, renting is generally more cost-effective than buying in the short to medium term. The market favors buyers only for long-term holds.
Merced County has an owner-occupancy rate of 54.0%, compared to 63.4% in California and 73.3% nationally. This indicates a more renter-heavy market than the U.S. average.
Similar Counties by Home Value
| County | State | Median Home Value | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buncombe County | North Carolina | $391,800 | $1,362 |
| Custer County | Colorado | $392,100 | $1,069 |
| Manatee County | Florida | $391,400 | $1,671 |
| DuPage County | Illinois | $391,400 | $1,688 |
| Johnson County | Kansas | $391,200 | $1,434 |
Other Counties in California
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madera County | $393,200 | $1,390 | 67.5% |
| Colusa County | $393,400 | $1,157 | 62.2% |
| Fresno County | $388,800 | $1,392 | 55.5% |
| Mariposa County | $387,900 | $1,305 | 74.7% |
| Yuba County | $412,300 | $1,311 | 63.5% |
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 5-Year Estimates (2017–2024). Variables: B25077 (Median Home Value), B25064 (Median Gross Rent), B25003 (Tenure). Data collected on 2026-10-14. The price-to-rent ratio is calculated as Median Home Value ÷ (Median Monthly Rent × 12).