Income needed to buy a home
Merced County, CA
$137,081
a year in household income to buy the typical Merced County home with 10% down.
The monthly math
Typical home value$417,261
Down payment (10%)$41,726
Loan$375,535
Principal and interest (7.40%)$2,600/mo
Property tax (0.67% a year)$233/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$209/mo
Mortgage insurance$156/mo
Total monthly cost$3,199/mo
Income needed keeps housing at 28% of gross income, the lender rule of thumb.
What locals earn
Out of reach
The typical household here earns $65,510 a year, 48% of what it takes.
In California
Merced County ranks #21 of 58 for the income a home takes, from least to most.
Easiest to afford in California
| County | Typical home | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| Modoc County | $195,654 | $64,354 |
| Lassen County | $234,567 | $78,175 |
| Trinity County | $257,616 | $80,870 |
| Siskiyou County | $280,435 | $91,399 |
| Lake County | $307,740 | $101,584 |
Typical home value from the Zillow Home Value Index, August 2026. Rate is the Freddie Mac 30-year average for Oct 8, 2026. Property tax rate is total taxes paid divided by total home value in the county (U.S. Census, ACS 2020-2024). How it works.