Lebanon, IN vs Merrillville, IN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Lebanon is 17.8% cheaper than Merrillville. With a cost index of 75 vs 91, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Lebanon to Merrillville should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Lebanon is $900/month compared to $1,304/month in Merrillville — a 31% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lebanon is more affordable at $179,200 median vs $194,000.

Median household income in Lebanon is $63,773 compared to $64,791 in Merrillville (-1.6%). Merrillville does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Lebanon spend roughly 16.9% of their income on rent, less than the 24.2% in Merrillville.