Merced County's composite score of 66.3 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 16.3 points, placing it solidly in the upper half of U.S. counties. This strong standing reflects the Central Valley county's combination of low taxes and affordable housing.
2 / 5
Above California's State Average
Merced County scores 66.3 compared to California's state average of 61.3, ranking it among the stronger California counties on the livability index. The 5-point advantage positions it ahead of most state counties despite its inland Central Valley location.
3 / 5
Lowest Taxes and Affordable Housing
Merced County boasts the second-lowest effective tax rate at 0.675% with a tax score of 83.3, and a cost score of 63.7 backed by median home values of $368,400 and median rent of $1,284/month. These fundamentals establish Merced as a genuinely affordable California option.
4 / 5
Modest Incomes and Limited Data Coverage
The income score of 25.8 reflects a median household income of $65,044, typical of the agricultural Central Valley. Significant livability dimensions including safety, health, schools, risk, and water quality remain unmeasured.
5 / 5
Great Choice for Cost-Conscious Rural Living
Merced County works well for families prioritizing affordability and low taxes in a growing Central Valley community. Remote workers, agricultural professionals, and budget-minded households will find this inland county offers strong value despite its agricultural character.
Merced County's composite score of 66.3 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 16.3 points, placing it solidly in the upper half of U.S. counties. This strong standing reflects the Central Valley county's combination of low taxes and affordable housing.
Above California's State Average
Merced County scores 66.3 compared to California's state average of 61.3, ranking it among the stronger California counties on the livability index. The 5-point advantage positions it ahead of most state counties despite its inland Central Valley location.
Lowest Taxes and Affordable Housing
Merced County boasts the second-lowest effective tax rate at 0.675% with a tax score of 83.3, and a cost score of 63.7 backed by median home values of $368,400 and median rent of $1,284/month. These fundamentals establish Merced as a genuinely affordable California option.
Modest Incomes and Limited Data Coverage
The income score of 25.8 reflects a median household income of $65,044, typical of the agricultural Central Valley. Significant livability dimensions including safety, health, schools, risk, and water quality remain unmeasured.
Great Choice for Cost-Conscious Rural Living
Merced County works well for families prioritizing affordability and low taxes in a growing Central Valley community. Remote workers, agricultural professionals, and budget-minded households will find this inland county offers strong value despite its agricultural character.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛83.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Merced County's effective tax rate of 0.675% is the second-lowest among surveyed counties and well below California's state average of 0.714%. Its median property tax of $2,487 sits just below the national median of $2,690, despite a median home value of $368,400 that exceeds the national average.
Lowest effective tax rate in the group
Merced County's effective rate of 0.675% is the lowest recorded across these eight counties, placing it among California's most tax-friendly regions. Its median property tax of $2,487 is roughly 39% below the state average of $4,045.
Best tax deal in the Central Valley
Merced County's 0.675% effective rate and $2,487 median tax beat neighboring Madera County (0.700%, $2,575 tax) and match Mariposa County's favorable position. With a median home value of $368,400, Merced offers impressive tax efficiency for Central Valley buyers.
Merced County homeowner tax calculation
A Merced County homeowner with a $368,400 home pays approximately $2,487 in annual property taxes at the 0.675% effective rate. Including mortgage-related assessments, the total approaches $2,803 annually for financed properties.
Tax appeals available to all Merced homeowners
Even in Merced County's favorable tax environment, homeowners can file appeals if assessments don't match current market values or contain errors. Free appeals process means zero risk and potential savings that compound over years.
Merced renters exceed national affordability norms
Merced County's 23.7% rent-to-income ratio surpasses the national average, placing renters under greater housing burden than typical American counties. With a median household income of $65,044 and rents of $1,284, Merced delivers Central Valley living that strains more than it relieves compared to national benchmarks.
Merced ranks slightly above state average
Merced County's 23.7% rent-to-income ratio edges above California's 22.4% state average, placing it just slightly above the midpoint for affordability. The county's Central Valley location creates moderate pricing between ultra-affordable rural counties and Bay Area premium markets.
Merced sits central to valley affordability
Merced's median rent of $1,284 aligns closely with Lake County ($1,292) and Mariposa County ($1,268), establishing it as a valley-representative option. The county's affordability ratio slightly trails inland neighbors but offers stronger job market access than mountain alternatives.
Nearly one-quarter of income flows to rent
Merced renters spend $1,284 monthly on rent while homeowners carry $1,392 in monthly costs, both substantial claims against a $65,044 median household income. The county's median home value of $368,400 reflects growing demand from workers priced out of coastal California.
Merced offers valley alternatives to coastal flight
If you're relocating from coastal California, Merced County provides Central Valley alternatives with home values ($368,400 median) far below Bay Area or Los Angeles levels. The county's proximity to Fresno and Stockton job markets makes it practical for workers seeking escape from coastal housing costs.
Merced County's median household income of $65,044 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by 13%, reflecting a rural agricultural economy with limited high-wage sectors. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier nationally.
Merced ranks among California's lowest-income counties
At $65,044, Merced County's median household income is 25% below California's state average of $87,001. The county ranks in the lower quartile among California's 58 counties.
Merced aligns with rural California's income peer group
Merced County ($65,044) earns similarly to Mendocino ($64,688) and Lassen ($64,395), anchoring the lower tier of rural California counties. The tight income clustering across these counties reflects shared structural economic challenges.
At 23.7%, Merced County's rent-to-income ratio sits below the 25% threshold, but median home values of $368,400 still require dual incomes or substantial savings. Limited wealth-building capacity strains household finances and long-term security.
Merced households should pursue skills-based income growth
With median income below state and national averages, Merced County residents should prioritize education, job training, and side income opportunities. Even modest income increases through career advancement or supplementary work can meaningfully improve financial stability and wealth-building prospects.
Merced County residents live 76.2 years on average, 2.7 years shorter than the U.S. average of 78.9 years. At 29%, Merced's poor/fair health rate is the highest among these eight counties, indicating serious population health challenges.
Among California's lowest-performing counties
Merced County's 76.2-year life expectancy ranks 2.3 years below California's 78.5-year average, placing it among the state's least healthy counties. The county's 29% poor/fair health rate is significantly higher than any state or national benchmark.
Rural county faces compounded challenges
Merced's 42 primary care providers per 100,000 residents exceed some rural peers but fall short of better-resourced counties like Mendocino at 78 per 100,000. Mental health providers at 251 per 100,000 rank among the lowest in the region.
High uninsured rate compounds health burden
Merced County's 8.6% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 7.2%, affecting roughly 1 in 12 residents who lack coverage. Combined with moderate primary care access at 42 providers per 100,000, uninsured residents face real barriers to addressing the county's high disease burden.
Breaking barriers to care starts here
With nearly 1 in 10 Merced residents uninsured and the county facing the state's highest poor/fair health rate, coverage is critical. Visit Covered California today to find plans that fit your family's needs and income—removing cost barriers is a concrete step toward better health.
Merced County scores 96.9 on the composite risk scale, earning a "Relatively High" rating that substantially exceeds California's state average of 88.7. This Central Valley county faces considerable exposure across multiple natural disaster categories.
Third highest risk in California
Merced County ranks 3rd in composite disaster risk among California's 58 counties, surpassed only by Los Angeles and Madera. The county's position reflects extreme vulnerability to earthquakes, wildfires, floods, and even tornadoes.
Highest risk in the Central Valley
Merced County's 96.9 risk score dramatically exceeds other Central Valley counties, reflecting its unique combination of seismic activity, wildfire exposure, and tornado risk (26.2—the state's highest). Its geography creates multi-directional vulnerability.
Earthquake, wildfire, and tornado threats
Merced County faces serious earthquake risk (98.5 out of 100), high wildfire risk (92.2), and the state's highest tornado risk (26.2). Flood risk (94.7) adds a fourth significant natural disaster concern for county residents.
Comprehensive multi-hazard coverage needed
Merced County residents must secure earthquake insurance, dedicated wildfire coverage, and flood insurance to address the county's multi-directional natural disaster exposure. Consider tornado insurance options and establish detailed emergency plans for all four major hazard types.