How many renters in Merced, CA pay more than 30% of their income on rent?

Name: Rent burden in Merced, CA, 2020–2024
Creator: US Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

55.2% (±4.1 points) of renting households in Merced, CA spend 30% or more of their household income on gross rent (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

45.7% spend 35% or more.

The median renting household spends 32.7% of its income on rent.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Paying 30% or more: 55.2% (±4.1 points)
Paying 35% or more: 45.7% (±3.5 points)
Median share of income: 32.7% (±1.9 points)

Rent as a share of income in Merced

Renting households by gross rent as a percentage of household income, 2020–2024
Share of income spent on rent	Merced	Merced County	California	United States
Less than 15%	11.2% (±2.7 points)	11.9%	10.4%	12.6%
15% to 19.9%	10.0% (±2.2 points)	12.3%	11.1%	12.2%
20% to 24.9%	9.4% (±2.0 points)	11.8%	12.0%	12.6%
25% to 29.9%	14.2% (±2.8 points)	12.1%	11.2%	11.5%
30% to 34.9%	9.5% (±2.1 points)	9.4%	9.3%	9.2%
35% or more	45.7% (±3.5 points)	42.5%	46.0%	41.9%

Households whose income could not be measured against their rent (for example, those reporting no income) are left out of these shares, as the Census Bureau leaves them out.

Merced against Merced County, its state and the nation

Estimate (90% margin of error)
	Merced	Merced County	California	United States
Paying 30% or more	55.2% (±4.1 points)	51.9% (±2.7 points)	55.3% (±0.2 points)	51.1%
Paying 35% or more	45.7% (±3.5 points)	42.5% (±2.3 points)	46.0% (±0.2 points)	41.9%
Median share of income	32.7% (±1.9 points)	31.0% (±1.1 points)	32.8% (±0.2 points)	30.6%
Median renter household income	$47,488 (±$2,446)	$50,208 (±$2,483)	$71,186 (±$298)	$52,966
Median gross rent	$1,393 (±$43)	$1,343 (±$27)	$2,036 (±$5)	$1,413

In Merced, the share of renters paying 30% or more of income is not measurably different from Merced County (51.9%).

It is not measurably different from California (55.3%).

It is not measurably different from the national figure (51.1%).

In Merced County, Merced ranks 5 of 15 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest share of renters paying 30% or more of income.

Statewide, it ranks 531 of 1,067.

Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.

Renters paying 30% or more of income in places near Merced

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Merced
Place	Distance	Renters paying 30% or more of income	Compared with this place
Merced	—	55.2% (±4.1 points)	—
Franklin	3.3 mi	49.7% (±23.8 points)	Not measurably different
McSwain	6.0 mi	27.2% (±30.9 points)	Not measurably different
Atwater	7.4 mi	53.5% (±8.1 points)	Not measurably different
Planada	8.7 mi	55.9% (±19.6 points)	Not measurably different
Winton	9.4 mi	56.7% (±15.9 points)	Not measurably different
Le Grand	13 mi	53.4% (±22.6 points)	Not measurably different
Livingston	15 mi	47.0% (±12.6 points)	Not measurably different
Chowchilla	18 mi	51.2% (±12.9 points)	Not measurably different

None of the nearby places differs measurably from this one on this figure.

Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.

Renters paying 30% or more of income across Merced County, place by place

Rank	Place	Renters paying 30% or more of income
1	South Dos Palos	100.0% (±54.0 points)
2	Los Banos	59.7% (±8.9 points)
3	Winton	56.7% (±15.9 points)
4	Planada	55.9% (±19.6 points)
5	Merced	55.2% (±4.1 points)
6	Atwater	53.5% (±8.1 points)
7	Le Grand	53.4% (±22.6 points)
8	Franklin	49.7% (±23.8 points)
9	Delhi	47.1% (±15.4 points)
10	Livingston	47.0% (±12.6 points)
11	Gustine	35.4% (±22.4 points)

Showing 11 of 15 places in Merced County, ranked from highest to lowest.

Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).

Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.

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Questions about Merced

Are renters in Merced rent-burdened?

55.2% of renting households in Merced pay 30% or more of their income in gross rent, the share housing researchers usually call rent-burdened (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

What share of income do renters in Merced spend on rent?

The median renting household in Merced, CA spends 32.7% (±1.9 points) of its household income on gross rent.

Sources

To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) and detailed tables (acs/acs5) for Merced city, California (place:46898, in state:06).

Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).

The API needs a free key.

Request a Census API key.

DP04_0136E, DP04_0136M, DP04_0137PE, DP04_0137PM, DP04_0138PE, DP04_0138PM, DP04_0139PE, DP04_0139PM, DP04_0140PE, DP04_0140PM, DP04_0141PE, DP04_0141PM, DP04_0142PE, DP04_0142PM, B25071_001E, B25071_001M, B25119_003E, B25119_003M

This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.