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City · 9,490 residents · East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana

Merrydale , Louisiana

In Merrydale, a typical home is worth $136,100 and typical rent is $1,311 a month. Compared with all of East Baton Rouge Parish, the typical home value is 45% lower, typical rent is 14% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 14 points higher.

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  • Typical home value

    $136,100

    45% below the parish

    37% below Louisiana

    • Merrydale
    • East Baton Rouge
    • Louisiana

  • Typical rent

    $1,311a month

    14% above the parish

    23% above Louisiana

    • Merrydale
    • East Baton Rouge
    • Louisiana

  • Households that own their home

    74%

    14 points above the parish

    6 points above Louisiana

    • Merrydale
    • East Baton Rouge
    • Louisiana

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Merrydale is in East Baton Rouge Parish. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of East Baton Rouge Parish. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Merrydale apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. The typical home in Merrydale is worth $136,100, 45% less than in East Baton Rouge Parish as a whole ($248,800).

  2. Nearby, in Baker, the typical rent is $993: 24% less than in Merrydale ($1,311).

  3. 74% of households in Merrydale own their home, against 59% in East Baton Rouge Parish.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in Merrydale

What homes there are in Merrydale, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

The detached house rules in Merrydale: 90% of homes, more than in East Baton Rouge Parish (62%).

Year built

In Merrydale, half of the homes were built before 1976; in East Baton Rouge Parish, before 1984.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes
Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$1,189 a month

East Baton Rouge Parish: $1,703 a month

Without a mortgage

$331 a month

East Baton Rouge Parish: $533 a month

Owners with a mortgage

62%

East Baton Rouge Parish: 61%

Owning costs less in Merrydale: with a mortgage, the typical cost is $1,189 a month; in East Baton Rouge Parish, $1,703. Without one, $331.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

Since 2015–2019, home values in Merrydale moved so little that the Census cannot say whether they rose or fell.

Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in Merrydale rose 43%, more than in East Baton Rouge Parish (23%).

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureMerrydaleEast Baton Rouge ParishLouisianaUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate11.1%7.8%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate1.6%1.3%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate2.4%2.3%3.4%
People per household 2.812.472.492.53
Drive alone 56%77%79%69%
Carpool 33%10%9%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimate1%1%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate2%2%3%
Work from home Unreliable estimate9%8%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate1%2%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimate20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Households in Merrydale are bigger: 2.81 people on average; in East Baton Rouge Parish, 2.47.

In Merrydale, 33% of workers share a car to get to work; in East Baton Rouge Parish, 10%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Merrydale?

The Census Bureau publishes no typical home value or typical household income for Merrydale, so we don't measure how heavy the payment is. Enter your own numbers in the calculator. The calculator starts with the typical home value in Merrydale: $136,100. The rate is Freddie Mac’s weekly average (7.18%, November 5, 2026); yours may be different. The FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of East Baton Rouge Parish. Change the price, the down payment or the loan type and see how your payment changes.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of East Baton Rouge Parish.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Merrydale. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $4,764 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$1,098

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$133,634
Total interest
$192,269
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $2,298 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

Type your income to see which tier this payment lands in.

Show the result as
per month$1,098
Principal & interest$905
Property tax$76
Home insurance$57
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$60

You need at least $4,764 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

Merrydale and East Baton Rouge Parish

Merrydale is in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

Merrydale's own numbers

Typical home value
$136,100
Typical monthly rent
$1,311
Households that own their home
74%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of East Baton Rouge Parish

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,149
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+23%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
19%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of East Baton Rouge Parish.

Everything about East Baton Rouge Parish

Buying

Buying a home in Merrydale

A typical home in Merrydale is worth $136,100: 45% below the parish and 37% below Louisiana.

How prices have changed in East Baton Rouge Parish

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in East Baton Rouge Parish rose 42% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of East Baton Rouge Parish.

Period Parish Louisiana U.S.
Last year (2025) +2.9% +1.8% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +23% +22% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +42% +38% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Merrydale next to East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Merrydale $136,100
  • East Baton Rouge $248,800
  • Louisiana $216,500
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Merrydale $1,311
  • East Baton Rouge $1,147
  • Louisiana $1,064
  • United States $1,413
See the full table
Merrydale next to East Baton Rouge Parish and Louisiana
Measure Merrydale East Baton Rouge Parish Louisiana U.S.
Typical home value $136,100 $248,800 $216,500 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $1,311 $1,147 $1,064 $1,413
Households that own their home 74% 59% 67% 65%
Renters with high rent for their income 50% 57% 55% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below East Baton Rouge Parish. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Merrydale

For a typical $136,100 home in Merrydale, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies. It leaves out property tax because the Census Bureau doesn't publish Merrydale's rate.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $1,022a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $4,764
    Cash to close
    $8,847
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $60

  • Conventional, 5% down $997a month

    Down payment
    $6,805
    Cash to close
    $10,888
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $65

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $794a month

    Down payment
    $27,220
    Cash to close
    $31,303
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $920a month

    Down payment
    $20,415
    Cash to close
    $24,498
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Merrydale and for East Baton Rouge Parish.

Property tax

Data not available for this place

What Louisiana publishes Homestead exemption: $7,500 of assessed value (Louisiana State Legislature (Louisiana Constitution))

Exemptions and deadlines in Louisiana

Flood risk in East Baton Rouge Parish

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of East Baton Rouge Parish.

Homes in the high-risk zone
19%
28,633
Of those, with NFIP insurance
57%
Parish Louisiana U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 19% 15% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 57% 73% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Merrydale

Typical rent in Merrydale is $1,311 a month: 14% above the parish. In Merrydale, 50% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of East Baton Rouge Parish, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,149 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $22.10 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of East Baton Rouge Parish

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $992 $19.08 $39,680
1 bedroom $1,014 $19.50 $40,560
2 bedrooms $1,149 $22.10 $45,960
3 bedrooms $1,456 $28.00 $58,240
4 bedrooms $1,842 $35.42 $73,680

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in Merrydale

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Merrydale is in ZIP code 70812.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,260: $111 more than the fair market rent for East Baton Rouge Parish ($1,149).

  • 70812 $1,260$1,600

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Merrydale when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Merrydale

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

There are 4 HUD-approved agencies with an office in East Baton Rouge Parish; 1 says it serves in Spanish.

A grandmother smiles, seated at home.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Merrydale

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Merrydale or East Baton Rouge Parish. The ones below are statewide in Louisiana: they work in Merrydale the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Louisiana

  • HomeStart Assist

    Statewide in Louisiana

    Louisiana state corporation 30-year mortgage for first-time buyers with 4% of the loan in assistance, as a 0% second mortgage forgiven after 60 months. Offered by Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC).

    Forgivable

    See the program Official page

  • HomeStart Advantage

    Statewide in Louisiana

    Louisiana state corporation 30-year mortgage with 4% of the loan in assistance, as a 0% second mortgage forgiven after 60 months; you do not need to be a first-time buyer, but you cannot own another home at closing. Offered by Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC).

    Forgivable

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near Merrydale

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Merrydale, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Urban Restoration Enhancement Corporation

    7732 Goodwood Blvd, Baton Rouge · 4 miles away

    • Budget and credit workshops
    • Pre-purchase counseling
    • and 1 more
    225-356-8871-210

  • Mid City Redevelopment Alliance

    419 N 19th St, Baton Rouge · 5 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 5 more
    (225) 346-1000

  • Louisiana Housing Corporation

    2415 Quail Dr, Baton Rouge · 7 miles away

    • Budget and financial counseling
    • Budget and credit workshops
    • and 3 more
    (225) 763-8654

Every agency in East Baton Rouge Parish All counseling agencies in Louisiana

Help in Spanish near Merrydale

None of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Merrydale

In HUD’s record, no housing authority with an office in East Baton Rouge Parish is named for Merrydale or East Baton Rouge Parish.

2 other authorities have an office in East Baton Rouge Parish: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in East Baton Rouge Parish

These cities are also in East Baton Rouge Parish. They share its loan limits and fair market rents, but home values and rent change from one to the next.

Everything about East Baton Rouge Parish Housing in Louisiana

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Merrydale, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If East Baton Rouge Parish is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Merrydale.

All guides
A father smiles as he carries his baby on his shoulders outdoors.

Questions

Housing questions about Merrydale

Short answers with the numbers for Merrydale and all of East Baton Rouge Parish. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in Merrydale?

The typical home value in Merrydale is $136,100, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in East Baton Rouge Parish it is $248,800.

How much does it cost to rent in Merrydale?

Typical rent in Merrydale is $1,311 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in East Baton Rouge Parish is $1,149.

What is the FHA loan limit in Merrydale?

Merrydale uses the FHA limit for all of East Baton Rouge Parish (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Merrydale?

There are 4 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in East Baton Rouge Parish. 1 says it serves in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).