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People enjoying the surroundings of Merced

Cost of living in Merced

Merced, located in the heart of California, offers a unique blend of urban and rural living. Understanding the cost of living in Merced is crucial for both current residents and those considering a move to this vibrant city.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Merced, covering essential categories such as dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $20 on average, with a range between $15 and $50.
Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $40, with prices ranging from $40 to $150.
Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $11.5, with a range between $10 and $15.
Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $6 to $11, imported beer $10 to $15, cappuccino $3.09 to $7, and Coke/Pepsi $2 to $5.

Grocery Prices

Milk - Milk is priced between $1.04 and $1.85 per liter, averaging $1.2.
Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $2.76 and $6.6, with an average price of $2.76.
Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $2.99 to $9, averaging $4.69.
Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $3.31 to $11.02 per kg, while oranges range from $1.5 to $8.82 per kg.
Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $1.46 and $6.61 per kg, and lettuce costs $1 to $4 per head.

Transportation

Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs between $1.5 and $2, with a monthly pass priced at $60.
Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.18 and $1.45 per liter.
Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $3, with a cost of $1.68 to $3.11 per km and $27 to $65 per hour of waiting.

Housing Costs

1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $1445 to $1800, averaging $1622.5.
1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $650 to $1395, averaging $1081.67.
3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $2000.
3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $1896.
Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre averages $2863.
Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter averages $2863.

Utilities

Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $75 and $500, averaging $275.29.
Internet - Internet services range from $55 to $130, with an average cost of $69.56.

Worldwide

United States

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for the United States are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in United States, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Dec, 2024

10. Sacramento

Full Cost of Living Rankings

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 19 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.

Restaurants

Avg / Range

Restaurants

Avg

Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

$20.00

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

$40.00

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

$11.50

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$9.00

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.00

Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.00

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.00

Cappuccino (regular)

$5.85

Markets

Avg / Range

Markets

Avg

Range

Milk (regular), (1 liter)

$1.20

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)

$2.76

Eggs (regular) (12)

$4.69

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.02

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.76

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

$15.00

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.32

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.85

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

$9.98

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.25

Apples (1kg)

$5.76

Oranges (1kg)

$1.50

Potato (1kg)

$2.09

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.00

Rice (white), (1kg)

$3.86

Tomato (1kg)

$4.41

Banana (1kg)

$1.71

Onion (1kg)

$3.31

Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

$17.53

Transportation

Avg / Range

Transportation

Avg

Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

$1.50

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$60.00

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.26

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

$30,530.00

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.00

Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)

$1.68

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$27.00

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

$27,461.48

Rent Per Month

Avg / Range

Rent Per Month

Avg

Range

Avg

Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,810.14

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

6.45%

Childcare

Avg / Range

Childcare

Avg

Range

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

$1,883.33

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

$26,000.00

Overview Job Market

Merced Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Merced offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to larger Californian cities, with moderate housing and utility costs.
Dining out can vary significantly in price, offering options for both budget-conscious and more extravagant tastes.
Transportation costs are reasonable, with affordable public transport and fuel prices.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Merced provides a balanced cost of living, making it an attractive option for those seeking a mix of urban amenities and rural charm.

Potential residents should consider the variability in dining and housing costs when planning their budget, but overall, Merced remains a cost-effective choice in California.

Merced