Ellsworth, MI vs Merrill, MI

Ellsworth is moderately more affordable than Merrill, with a 5.6% lower cost of living index. Ellsworth scores 57 compared to 61 for Merrill, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Merrill can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Ellsworth is $386/month compared to $722/month in Merrill — a 47% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Ellsworth has cheaper rent, Merrill actually has lower median home values ($89,700 vs $153,100).

Median household income in Ellsworth is $70,000 compared to $47,000 in Merrill (+48.9%). Ellsworth offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Ellsworth spend roughly 6.6% of their income on rent, less than the 18.4% in Merrill.