Madison, IN vs Merrillville, IN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Madison is 20.1% cheaper than Merrillville. With a cost index of 73 vs 91, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Madison to Merrillville should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Madison is $827/month compared to $1,304/month in Merrillville — a 37% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Madison is more affordable at $186,600 median vs $194,000.

Median household income in Madison is $57,050 compared to $64,791 in Merrillville (-11.9%). The higher salaries in Merrillville partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Madison spend roughly 17.4% of their income on rent, less than the 24.2% in Merrillville.