El Centro, CA vs Merced, CA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Merced, CA is 3.3% more expensive than El Centro, CA (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in El Centro works out to about $77,400 in Merced, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 18.6% more in Merced. Goods are 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $2,059 a month in Merced and $1,803 in El Centro, $3,072 a year more in Merced (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $414,000 in Merced and $382,000 in El Centro.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when Merced was 5.1% more expensive than El Centro.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 18.6% higher in Merced than in El Centro
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- El Centro, CA
- Merced, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| El Centro, CA | Merced, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 95.2 | 98.3 |
| Goods | 105.2 | 105.2 |
| Housing (rents) | 66.3 | 78.6 |
| Utilities | 157.2 | 158.3 |
| Other services | 100.3 | 100.3 |
| Category | El Centro | Merced | Merced vs El Centro |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 95.2 | 98.3 | +3.3% |
| Goods | 105.2 | 105.2 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 66.3 | 78.6 | +18.6% |
| Utilities | 157.2 | 158.3 | +0.7% |
| Other services | 100.3 | 100.3 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,803 | $2,059 | +14.2% |
| Typical home value | $382,000 | $414,000 | +8.3% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in El Centro | $75,000 | $77,400 | +3.3% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between El Centro and Merced has widened since 2008: 1.0 points then, 3.1 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- El Centro, CA
- Merced, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| El Centro, CA | Merced, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.3 | 94.3 |
| 2009 | 96.2 | 98.4 |
| 2010 | 95.2 | 96.7 |
| 2011 | 94.8 | 98.4 |
| 2012 | 94.0 | 98.6 |
| 2013 | 94.3 | 98.1 |
| 2014 | 91.8 | 96.1 |
| 2015 | 94.5 | 95.7 |
| 2016 | 95.7 | 95.3 |
| 2017 | 95.8 | 98.3 |
| 2018 | 92.8 | 101.1 |
| 2019 | 96.4 | 101.2 |
| 2020 | 96.9 | 98.7 |
| 2021 | 95.6 | 100.3 |
| 2022 | 100.0 | 102.9 |
| 2023 | 100.2 | 99.6 |
| 2024 | 95.2 | 98.3 |
Goods
- El Centro, CA
- Merced, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| El Centro, CA | Merced, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 101.3 | 95.1 |
| 2009 | 99.9 | 101.4 |
| 2010 | 98.5 | 97.3 |
| 2011 | 98.6 | 99.0 |
| 2012 | 96.4 | 99.8 |
| 2013 | 95.0 | 98.2 |
| 2014 | 97.1 | 96.6 |
| 2015 | 103.7 | 94.9 |
| 2016 | 104.6 | 94.0 |
| 2017 | 102.0 | 99.8 |
| 2018 | 105.3 | 105.3 |
| 2019 | 104.8 | 104.8 |
| 2020 | 104.5 | 104.5 |
| 2021 | 106.9 | 106.9 |
| 2022 | 109.0 | 109.0 |
| 2023 | 104.9 | 104.9 |
| 2024 | 105.2 | 105.2 |
Housing (rents)
- El Centro, CA
- Merced, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| El Centro, CA | Merced, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 72.5 | 82.3 |
| 2009 | 79.7 | 88.1 |
| 2010 | 80.6 | 87.9 |
| 2011 | 75.4 | 85.3 |
| 2012 | 81.4 | 84.4 |
| 2013 | 78.8 | 88.2 |
| 2014 | 66.9 | 77.6 |
| 2015 | 68.5 | 81.9 |
| 2016 | 80.9 | 83.4 |
| 2017 | 70.0 | 90.4 |
| 2018 | 56.5 | 83.6 |
| 2019 | 67.8 | 88.4 |
| 2020 | 76.2 | 79.5 |
| 2021 | 67.0 | 88.7 |
| 2022 | 74.0 | 84.2 |
| 2023 | 77.7 | 76.8 |
| 2024 | 66.3 | 78.6 |
Utilities
- El Centro, CA
- Merced, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| El Centro, CA | Merced, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 87.9 | 102.3 |
| 2009 | 94.4 | 101.4 |
| 2010 | 104.6 | 113.3 |
| 2011 | 110.2 | 115.3 |
| 2012 | 106.4 | 118.7 |
| 2013 | 106.0 | 116.8 |
| 2014 | 105.6 | 122.2 |
| 2015 | 107.7 | 123.2 |
| 2016 | 120.2 | 117.9 |
| 2017 | 117.1 | 112.8 |
| 2018 | 121.4 | 123.1 |
| 2019 | 128.1 | 130.7 |
| 2020 | 131.9 | 135.2 |
| 2021 | 141.0 | 146.5 |
| 2022 | 146.0 | 149.0 |
| 2023 | 138.6 | 147.7 |
| 2024 | 157.2 | 158.3 |
Other services
- El Centro, CA
- Merced, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| El Centro, CA | Merced, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 102.8 | 97.7 |
| 2009 | 100.7 | 100.7 |
| 2010 | 98.3 | 98.8 |
| 2011 | 99.0 | 102.5 |
| 2012 | 96.3 | 102.4 |
| 2013 | 99.0 | 101.1 |
| 2014 | 98.7 | 101.0 |
| 2015 | 99.1 | 99.8 |
| 2016 | 95.3 | 98.9 |
| 2017 | 100.2 | 99.2 |
| 2018 | 103.7 | 103.7 |
| 2019 | 101.8 | 101.8 |
| 2020 | 100.4 | 100.4 |
| 2021 | 98.6 | 98.6 |
| 2022 | 103.9 | 103.9 |
| 2023 | 104.2 | 104.2 |
| 2024 | 100.3 | 100.3 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $2,059 in Merced vs $1,803 in El Centro
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- El Centro, CA
- Merced, CA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| El Centro, CA | Merced, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | – | $973 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | – | $985 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | – | $998 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | – | $1,017 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | – | $1,031 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | – | $1,079 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | – | $1,107 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | – | $1,104 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | – | $1,133 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | – | $1,183 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | – | $1,206 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | – | $1,194 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | – | $1,240 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | – | $1,283 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | – | $1,293 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | – | $1,262 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | – | $1,316 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | – | $1,361 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | – | $1,381 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | – | $1,361 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | – | $1,384 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | – | $1,409 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | – | $1,433 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | – | $1,510 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | – | $1,518 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | – | $1,644 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | – | $1,751 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | – | $1,775 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | – | $1,802 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | – | $1,834 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | – | $1,821 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | – | $1,818 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | – | $1,837 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,419 | $1,874 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,485 | $1,892 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,482 | $1,887 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,572 | $1,898 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,532 | $1,938 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,538 | $1,982 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,640 | $1,989 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,652 | $2,000 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,659 | $2,021 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,697 | $2,037 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,694 | $2,029 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,743 | $2,027 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,808 | $2,064 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,803 | $2,059 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $414,000 in Merced vs $382,000 in El Centro
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- El Centro, CA
- Merced, CA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| El Centro, CA | Merced, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $175K | $193K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $181K | $198K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $183K | $204K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $190K | $209K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $194K | $213K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $197K | $217K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $198K | $222K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $201K | $227K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $204K | $235K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $210K | $241K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $212K | $245K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $216K | $252K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $218K | $259K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $222K | $264K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $223K | $269K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $223K | $273K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $229K | $282K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $237K | $287K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $240K | $289K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $247K | $292K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $248K | $296K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $251K | $299K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $258K | $305K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $263K | $319K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $270K | $335K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $279K | $357K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $290K | $372K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $298K | $386K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $305K | $408K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $312K | $426K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $312K | $422K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $308K | $408K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $313K | $396K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $319K | $399K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $324K | $405K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $328K | $409K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $334K | $414K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $340K | $421K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $343K | $423K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $349K | $424K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $354K | $422K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $357K | $419K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $365K | $415K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $373K | $415K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $379K | $415K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $380K | $414K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $382K | $414K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.