Hudson, IA vs Merrill, IA

The cost of living difference between Hudson, IA and Merrill, IA is dramatic. Merrill is 32.9% cheaper than Hudson, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hudson has a cost index of 83 while Merrill sits at 62, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Hudson is $1,082/month compared to $581/month in Merrill — a 86% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Merrill is more affordable at $157,200 median vs $234,500.

Median household income in Hudson is $119,327 compared to $79,250 in Merrill (+50.6%). While Hudson is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Hudson spend roughly 10.9% of their income on rent, more than the 8.8% in Merrill.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49°F vs 48.4°F). Hudson receives more rainfall at 36.3" per year compared to 29.3" in Merrill.