2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Yucca Valley, CA vs Merced, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Merced or is it cheaper to live in Yucca Valley?
- Merced is 8.0% less expensive than Yucca Valley.

Which city has more affordable housing, Merced or Yucca Valley?
- Merced housing costs are 16.8% more expensive than Yucca Valley housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Yucca Valley or is Health Care more affordable in Merced.
- Health related expenses are 37.7% more in Merced.
 Yucca Valley, CAMerced, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock109.1100
 Food & Groceries96.8  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock121.3100
 Housing94.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$373,000$338,100
 Utilities107  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock101.1100
 Miscellaneous111.2  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 Yucca Valley    10 Reviews

We have lived in Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree for over 20 years. The comment regarding graffiti is over exaggerated. Yes there is crime and there are some tweakers but  More

   |    Reply

Over 5 years ago

Let me start by saying, I love the desert. Yucca used to be a sweet little town...but now that the city has allowed for many criminals to come in from other areas..a  More

   |    Reply

YV has a good mix of mainly retirees, snowbirds, artists, and military families. People here are generally MORE friendly and LESS racially diverse compared to other  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Yucca Valley

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


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.