Bedford, IN vs Merrillville, IN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Bedford is 24.7% cheaper than Merrillville. With a cost index of 69 vs 91, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Bedford to Merrillville should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bedford is $819/month compared to $1,304/month in Merrillville — a 37% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bedford is more affordable at $136,900 median vs $194,000.

Median household income in Bedford is $50,253 compared to $64,791 in Merrillville (-22.4%). The higher salaries in Merrillville partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Bedford spend roughly 19.6% of their income on rent, less than the 24.2% in Merrillville.