Frankfort, IN vs Merrillville, IN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Frankfort is 24.4% cheaper than Merrillville. With a cost index of 69 vs 91, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Frankfort to Merrillville should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Frankfort is $888/month compared to $1,304/month in Merrillville — a 32% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Frankfort is more affordable at $122,800 median vs $194,000.

Median household income in Frankfort is $53,522 compared to $64,791 in Merrillville (-17.4%). The higher salaries in Merrillville partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Frankfort spend roughly 19.9% of their income on rent, less than the 24.2% in Merrillville.