2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Merced, CA vs Avondale, AZ

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Avondale or is it cheaper to live in Merced?
- Avondale is 3.6% more expensive than Merced.

Which city has more affordable housing, Avondale or Merced?
- Avondale housing costs are 3.7% more expensive than Merced housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Merced or is Health Care more affordable in Avondale.
- Health related expenses are 23.7% less in Avondale.
 Merced, CAAvondale, AZUnited States
 Overall  Unlock113.0100
 Food & Groceries99.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock92.5100
 Housing110.3  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$372,700$338,100
 Utilities110  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock102.0100
 Miscellaneous108.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

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

   |    Reply

Over 5 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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Merced

Reviews for Avondale    3 Reviews

Over 15 years ago

My children have attended Canyon Breeze for the last couple of years. In that time a new principal has taken over. Bullying, swearing, and children running around  More

   |    Reply

Over 18 years ago

I am a young married woman with a family. I love Avondale for so many reasons. There is everything I need nearby and I rarely have to venture out of my area. Shopping,  More

   |    Reply

Over 18 years ago

The valley is in serious need of mass transit. Currently a light rail is being built, but it is slated to only connect Phoenix to Tempe. Eventually it will connect more  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Avondale


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.