Bellwood, VA vs Merrimac, VA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Merrimac is 18.8% cheaper than Bellwood. With a cost index of 71 vs 85, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Merrimac to Bellwood should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bellwood is $1,132/month compared to $1,099/month in Merrimac — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Merrimac is more affordable at $73,400 median vs $192,600.

Median household income in Bellwood is $50,172 compared to $55,202 in Merrimac (-9.1%). Merrimac offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Bellwood spend roughly 27.1% of their income on rent, more than the 23.9% in Merrimac.