Griffith, IN vs Merrillville, IN

Griffith, IN and Merrillville, IN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.4% difference in their overall index. Griffith scores 87 while Merrillville scores 91 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Griffith is $1,154/month compared to $1,304/month in Merrillville — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Griffith has cheaper rent, Merrillville actually has lower median home values ($194,000 vs $200,400).

Median household income in Griffith is $76,009 compared to $64,791 in Merrillville (+17.3%). Griffith offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Griffith spend roughly 18.2% of their income on rent, less than the 24.2% in Merrillville.