Gary, IN vs Merrillville, IN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Gary is 20.7% cheaper than Merrillville. With a cost index of 72 vs 91, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Gary to Merrillville should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Gary is $975/month compared to $1,304/month in Merrillville — a 25% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Gary is more affordable at $85,300 median vs $194,000.

Median household income in Gary is $37,380 compared to $64,791 in Merrillville (-42.3%). While Merrillville is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Gary spend roughly 31.3% of their income on rent, more than the 24.2% in Merrillville. The Merrillville ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.