Merced, CA · Updated Oct 2026

What a Merced house pays

Property tax, water, trash and energy from public rates. Look up your address to make it yours, and see how to pay less.

Sent only to free public map services to find who serves it. Not stored unless you save your house.

Example · a Merced house

$10,408a year · $867 a month

Starts at the typical market value, $369,300; your assessed value is often lower. Typical use.

A Merced house at the typical market value ($369,300) pays about $10,400 a year: $4,020 property tax and charges, $910 water and sewer, $620 trash, $3,360 electricity and gas, $1,490 home insurance. Estimated from public rates, not anyone's actual bill.

Rates checked Oct 22, 2026. Insurance: what you enter, or a typical premium until you do. Sources are listed at the bottom.

Ways to pay less

Nothing here applies to every house automatically. These are worth checking:

Income-qualified households: CARE or FERA30–35% off electricity
Electrical corporations with 100,000+ customer accounts offer a 30–35% discount; FERA applies an 18% discount for incomes slightly above CARE limits.
How: Application forms are also available through community agencies.
100% disabled veterans: property tax exemption$100,000+ off assessed value
The basic Disabled Veterans' Exemption, also called the $100,000 exemption, is compounded annually by an inflation factor; a larger low-income exemption (the $150,000 exemption) is for claimants under a household income limit.
How: File form BOE-261-G, Claim for Disabled Veterans' Property Tax Exemption, with the county assessor.
Seniors, blind or disabled: property tax postponementDefer property taxes
The Merced County Tax Collector administers the Senior Citizen Postponement Program for seniors, blind and disabled people.
How: Contact the Merced County Treasurer-Tax Collector.
Missed the homeowners' exemption deadline? File by December 1080% of the exemption
Homeowners who miss the February 15 filing deadline have until December 10 to file for an 80% exemption.
How: File the claim with the Merced County Assessor.

Money dates

Nov 1in 9 daysFirst property tax installment due. Delinquent after Dec 10, then a 10% penalty.
Nov 30in 38 daysLast day to file an appeal of the value on the annual tax roll (the filing window runs July 2 to November 30).
Feb 1in 101 daysSecond installment due. Delinquent after April 10, then a 10% penalty.
Feb 15in 115 daysLast day to file the homeowners' exemption for the full year.

Who serves this house

Water: City of Merced; City of Merced: most residential properties have a 1-inch meter with a base monthly rate of $32.25 that includes 20 HCF; for each HCF over the base, the cost is $0.77
Property tax: 1.11% of value; 2026–27 tax year, Merced County (tax rate area 005-000)
Garbage: City of Merced Refuse Division; The City of Merced Refuse Division is responsible for solid waste collection within City limits; utility services include water, sewer and garbage.
Sewer: City of Merced; City staff report: the current sewer rate for a single-family home is $43.93.
Electricity: PG&E or Merced Irrigation District; PG&E and Merced Irrigation District both provide electricity in Merced.
Gas: PG&E; PG&E provides natural gas.

Pay or manage your bills

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How these numbers are made

Property tax: Merced County 2026-27 rates for tax rate area 005-000, the City of Merced area with the most parcels (7,237 secured parcels; Merced City School District): 1% countywide plus 0.0876% Merced City School bonds, 0.0114% Merced Union High bonds and 0.0115% Merced College bonds, 1.1105% in all, less the $7,000 homeowners' exemption.
The starting home value is the Census ACS 2024 median market value; under Prop 13 an owner who bought years ago has a lower assessed value and pays less.
Water: the City's base monthly rate for a 1-inch meter, which includes 20 HCF, then $0.77 per HCF. The starting use is the City's example of about 10 HCF a month inside a five-person home.
Sewer is the last rate we found ($43.93 a month, December 2022); the City was planning a new sewer rate study. Garbage is the City's 2023 combined residential rate ($51.52), the latest published; a 2026 solid waste rate study was in progress. Water is the City's last published schedule; its page gives no effective date. These city rates are as last published and may have changed, so the utilities lines may be out of date. Call Public Works (209) 385-6800 to confirm current rates.
We found no flat charge that every Merced tax bill carries; some areas pay City maintenance district assessments that vary and are not included.
Energy is a year-round estimate on PG&E's standard tiered plans (365 days / 12 months; baseline weighted by season). Typical use is PG&E's 2024 residential average (EIA). Homes served by Merced Irrigation District pay MID's rates instead. Insurance is the 2022 California average homeowners premium until you enter your own.
Nothing here is legal, tax or insurance advice.

Sources

Common questions about Merced house costs

What is the property tax rate in Merced?

About 1.11% of the value before exemptions a year (2026–27 tax year, Merced County (tax rate area 005-000)), plus flat charges on the same bill.

How much is property tax on a $500,000 house in Merced?

About $5,475 a year on $500,000 of the value before exemptions with the homeowners' exemption.

How much is the water bill in Merced?

About $76 a month for water and sewer at typical use (10 units, or 7,480 gallons a month) on City of Merced.

How much does trash pickup cost in Merced?

$52 a month for a house.

When is property tax due in Merced?

Nov 1: First property tax installment due. Delinquent after Dec 10, then a 10% penalty. Feb 1: Second installment due. Delinquent after April 10, then a 10% penalty.

Can seniors lower their property tax or bills in Merced?

Yes. Seniors, blind or disabled: property tax postponement: The Merced County Tax Collector administers the Senior Citizen Postponement Program for seniors, blind and disabled people.

Where can I get help paying utility bills in Merced?

Income-qualified households: CARE or FERA: Electrical corporations with 100,000+ customer accounts offer a 30–35% discount; FERA applies an 18% discount for incomes slightly above CARE limits. Application forms are also available through community agencies.

How much does a house in Merced cost to run each year?

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