Harvey, LA vs Merrydale, LA

Merrydale is moderately more affordable than Harvey, with a 7.2% lower cost of living index. Harvey scores 84 compared to 78 for Merrydale, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Harvey can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Harvey is $1,196/month compared to $1,187/month in Merrydale — a 1% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Merrydale is more affordable at $124,300 median vs $189,700.

Median household income in Harvey is $43,524 compared to $41,986 in Merrydale (+3.7%). The higher salaries in Harvey partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Harvey spend roughly 33% of their income on rent, less than the 33.9% in Merrydale. The Harvey ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.