Jasper, IN vs Merrillville, IN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Jasper is 21.4% cheaper than Merrillville. With a cost index of 72 vs 91, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Jasper to Merrillville should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Jasper is $741/month compared to $1,304/month in Merrillville — a 43% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Jasper has cheaper rent, Merrillville actually has lower median home values ($194,000 vs $203,300).

Median household income in Jasper is $65,283 compared to $64,791 in Merrillville (+0.8%). Jasper offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Jasper spend roughly 13.6% of their income on rent, less than the 24.2% in Merrillville.