Jesup, IA vs Merrill, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Merrill is 19.9% cheaper than Jesup. With a cost index of 62 vs 75, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Merrill to Jesup should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Jesup is $937/month compared to $581/month in Merrill — a 61% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Merrill is more affordable at $157,200 median vs $189,600.

Median household income in Jesup is $89,297 compared to $79,250 in Merrill (+12.7%). The higher salaries in Jesup partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Jesup spend roughly 12.6% 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). Jesup receives more rainfall at 36.3" per year compared to 29.3" in Merrill.