Brodhead, WI vs Merrill, WI

Brodhead, WI and Merrill, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.9% difference in their overall index. Brodhead scores 67 while Merrill scores 65 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 Brodhead is $691/month compared to $784/month in Merrill — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Brodhead has cheaper rent, Merrill actually has lower median home values ($113,200 vs $167,600).

Median household income in Brodhead is $49,531 compared to $49,947 in Merrill (-0.8%). 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 Brodhead spend roughly 16.7% of their income on rent, less than the 18.8% in Merrill.