Braidwood, IL vs Merrionette Park, IL

Braidwood, IL and Merrionette Park, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.3% difference in their overall index. Braidwood scores 86 while Merrionette Park scores 85 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 Braidwood is $1,089/month compared to $1,197/month in Merrionette Park — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Braidwood has cheaper rent, Merrionette Park actually has lower median home values ($152,600 vs $205,900).

Median household income in Braidwood is $83,365 compared to $53,623 in Merrionette Park (+55.5%). While Braidwood is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Braidwood spend roughly 15.7% of their income on rent, less than the 26.8% in Merrionette Park.