Grafton, IL vs Merrionette Park, IL

Grafton is moderately more affordable than Merrionette Park, with a 14% lower cost of living index. Grafton scores 73 compared to 85 for Merrionette Park, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Merrionette Park can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Grafton is $617/month compared to $1,197/month in Merrionette Park — a 49% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Grafton has cheaper rent, Merrionette Park actually has lower median home values ($152,600 vs $254,700).

Median household income in Grafton is $93,250 compared to $53,623 in Merrionette Park (+73.9%). Grafton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Grafton spend roughly 7.9% of their income on rent, less than the 26.8% in Merrionette Park.

Climate-wise, Grafton is notably warmer with an average of 56.1°F compared to 52.1°F in Merrionette Park. Grafton receives more rainfall at 39.4" per year compared to 34.4" in Merrionette Park.