HUD Open Data · FY 2026
What is the Fair Market Rent in Merced County, CA?
Last updated: FY2026, effective October 1, 2025
In Merced County, California, the FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom is $1,503 a month. Rents run from $1,116 for a studio up to $2,503 for a four-bedroom, with the full breakdown by unit size below. HUD sets these rates each year, and housing authorities use them to set Section 8 voucher payment standards. Source: U.S. HUD, Office of Policy Development and Research, FY2026 Fair Market Rents, effective October 1, 2025.
2-Bedroom FMR in Merced County and Neighbouring Counties
| Unit size | Monthly FMR (FY 2026) |
|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $1,116 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,213 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,503 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,067 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,503 |
How does Merced County compare?
2-bedroom Fair Market Rent ranked against all counties in California.
Higher rent than 28% of counties in California · 43th of 58
| # | County | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz County | $4,214 |
| 2 | Marin County | $3,604 |
| 2 | San Francisco County | $3,604 |
| … 39 more … | ||
| 43 | Merced County(you are here) | $1,503 |
| … 12 more … | ||
| 56 | Siskiyou County | $1,249 |
| 57 | Trinity County | $1,202 |
| 58 | Modoc County | $1,108 |
More data for Merced County, California
No nearby counties with Fair Market Rent data are available in our database.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Fair Market Rent in Merced County, CA for 2026?
In Merced County, California, a two-bedroom has a Fair Market Rent of $1,503 a month for FY2026, and rents range from $1,116 for a studio to $2,503 for a four-bedroom. The full breakdown by unit size is in the table above. Source: U.S. HUD, Office of Policy Development and Research, FY2026 Fair Market Rents.
What is the 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Merced County, CA?
A two-bedroom in Merced County, California has a Fair Market Rent of $1,503 a month under HUD's FY2026 figures.
When do Fair Market Rents in Merced County become effective?
FY2026 Fair Market Rents became effective October 1, 2025 and apply through September 30, 2026.
How does HUD calculate Fair Market Rents?
HUD calculates FMRs as the 40th percentile of gross rents paid by recent movers for standard-quality units in a metropolitan area or non-metropolitan county. Data comes from the American Community Survey (ACS).
How do I find Fair Market Rent by ZIP code in Merced County, CA?
Every ZIP code in Merced County has its own Fair Market Rent page — see the "ZIP codes in Merced County" list above. Each ZIP page lists studio through 4-bedroom FMRs for FY2026.
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