Iola, WI vs Merton, WI

The cost of living difference between Iola, WI and Merton, WI is dramatic. Iola is 40% cheaper than Merton, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Iola has a cost index of 68 while Merton sits at 113, 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 Iola is $734/month compared to $1,148/month in Merton — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Iola is more affordable at $150,200 median vs $539,900.

Median household income in Iola is $49,688 compared to $168,661 in Merton (-70.5%). While Merton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Iola spend roughly 17.7% of their income on rent, more than the 8.2% in Merton.