Cost of Living in Franklin CDP (Merced County), CA

Population 7,487 · California · Data vintage 2023

100
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Franklin CDP (Merced County) sits on the smaller end of the California city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. At 8.2%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Located 35 miles southeast of Modesto, Franklin CDP (Merced County) falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 31% lower than Modesto's $416,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 94
Rent 110

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Franklin CDP (Merced County)

The median home value in Franklin CDP (Merced County) is $285,700 — 6% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,450/month, 10% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $56,274/year is 25% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.2%, above the national average of 4.8%. California's top state income tax rate is 13.3% and the combined sales tax is 8.7%. The climate averages highs of 76.4°F and lows of 48.2°F. Overall, Franklin CDP (Merced County) has a cost of living index of 100 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is on par with the national average.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$285,700
6% below avg
Median Rent
$1,450/mo
10% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.4x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,195
1 BR
$1,241
2 BR
$1,544
3 BR
$2,163
4 BR
$2,556
Owner-occupied 78.3%
Renter-occupied 21.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,450
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,064/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
23.1 min
14% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
85.4%
Carpooled
6.3%
Work from home
6.6%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 13.3%
Total Sales Tax 8.7%
State rate 7.3%
Avg local rate 1.4%
Property Tax 0.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$56,274
25% below avg
Per Capita Income
$20,556
Unemployment Rate
8.2%
70% above avg
Poverty Rate
23.6%
Labor Force Participation
50.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 9.6%
Graduate degree 1.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 34.2
Male median age 34.8
Female median age 33.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
76.4°F
Avg Low
48.2°F
Annual Precip
11.8"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 566268748391969591806656
Low °F 373942455258626157494136
Precip" 2.372.201.821.120.550.120.000.000.050.641.021.91

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 51 — Moderate
46.8%
Good air days/yr
129
Max AQI recorded
131
PM2.5 days
220
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Franklin CDP (Merced County), CA?

Franklin CDP (Merced County) has a cost index of 100 (100 = national average). It is near the national average.

What is average rent in Franklin CDP (Merced County), CA?

The median gross rent in Franklin CDP (Merced County) is $1,450 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Franklin CDP (Merced County)?

The median home value in Franklin CDP (Merced County) is $285,700 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Franklin CDP (Merced County)?

The median household income in Franklin CDP (Merced County) is $56,274 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Franklin CDP (Merced County), CA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Franklin CDP (Merced County) is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.

Is Franklin CDP (Merced County), CA affordable?

Franklin CDP (Merced County) is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 100 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Franklin CDP (Merced County)?

Franklin CDP (Merced County) has average high temperatures of 76.4°F and average lows of 48.2°F. Annual precipitation is 11.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Franklin CDP (Merced County) at a Glance

Population
7,487
Median Income
$56,274
Home Value
$285,700
Median Rent
$1,450/mo
Unemployment
8.2%
Avg High Temp
76.4°F
Sales Tax
8.7%
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