Auburn, IN vs Merrillville, IN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Auburn is 22.5% cheaper than Merrillville. With a cost index of 71 vs 91, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Auburn to Merrillville should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Auburn is $831/month compared to $1,304/month in Merrillville — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Auburn is more affordable at $172,800 median vs $194,000.

Median household income in Auburn is $62,339 compared to $64,791 in Merrillville (-3.8%). Merrillville does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Auburn spend roughly 16% of their income on rent, less than the 24.2% in Merrillville.