2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Allen, TX vs Merced, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Merced or is it cheaper to live in Allen?
- Merced is 2.3% less expensive than Allen.

Which city has more affordable housing, Merced or Allen?
- Merced housing costs are 19.6% less expensive than Allen housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Allen or is Health Care more affordable in Merced.
- Health related expenses are 20.1% more in Merced.
 Allen, TXMerced, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock109.1100
 Food & Groceries102.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock121.3100
 Housing137.2  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$373,000$338,100
 Utilities100  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock101.1100
 Miscellaneous102.5  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Allen    14 Reviews

Over 9 years ago

Originally from Dallas, we moved to Allen 2013. We love the schools, my kids are getting a great education. My daughter was tested in the gifted program as soon as we  More

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Over 9 years ago

Allen is quite possibly the best city I've ever had the privilege of visiting. Everyone you meet is courteous, helpful, and respectable. The town fully supports one  More

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Over 10 years ago

We are planning a move to Allen, Texas and would like to know how many months out of the year are warm enough to swim? Getting ready to make an offer on a home and  More

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Reviews for Merced    44 Reviews

Merced is totally slept on - you want a little bit of everything CA has to offer, at a fraction of the price of other CA cities? Merced is the place to go. The town  More

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Over 6 years ago

Good place to live. More affordable than most of california. The city is growing and there is alot of business and growth here. Moved from the Bay area years ago and  More

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Great place to live. Lots of progress and changes coming to the city. Great place to raise a family. UC Merced is expanding and businesses are investing. Downtown is  More

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