Belle Plaine, IA vs Merrill, IA

Belle Plaine, IA and Merrill, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.9% difference in their overall index. Belle Plaine scores 65 while Merrill scores 62 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Belle Plaine is $796/month compared to $581/month in Merrill — a 37% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Merrill has cheaper rent, Belle Plaine actually has lower median home values ($111,600 vs $157,200).

Median household income in Belle Plaine is $70,517 compared to $79,250 in Merrill (-11%). Merrill offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Belle Plaine spend roughly 13.5% of their income on rent, more than the 8.8% in Merrill.