Boardman, OR vs Merlin, OR

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Boardman is 21.7% cheaper than Merlin. With a cost index of 80 vs 103, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Boardman to Merlin should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Boardman is $890/month compared to $1,090/month in Merlin — a 18% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Boardman is more affordable at $204,100 median vs $419,100.

Median household income in Boardman is $63,266 compared to $66,342 in Merlin (-4.6%). Merlin 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 Boardman spend roughly 16.9% of their income on rent, less than the 19.7% in Merlin.

Climate-wise, Boardman is notably warmer with an average of 53.9°F compared to 48.9°F in Merlin. Merlin receives more rainfall at 40.7" per year compared to 8.6" in Boardman.