Fontana-on-Geneva Lake, WI vs Merrimac, WI

The cost of living difference between Fontana-on-Geneva Lake, WI and Merrimac, WI is dramatic. Merrimac is 35.5% cheaper than Fontana-on-Geneva Lake, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fontana-on-Geneva Lake has a cost index of 119 while Merrimac sits at 88, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Fontana-on-Geneva Lake is $1,338/month compared to $1,050/month in Merrimac — a 27% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Merrimac is more affordable at $274,200 median vs $555,800.

Median household income in Fontana-on-Geneva Lake is $104,583 compared to $102,344 in Merrimac (+2.2%). Fontana-on-Geneva Lake 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 Fontana-on-Geneva Lake spend roughly 15.4% of their income on rent, more than the 12.3% in Merrimac.