Mercer, WI vs Phillips, WI

Mercer, WI and Phillips, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.4% difference in their overall index. Mercer scores 66 while Phillips scores 65 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Mercer is $525/month compared to $808/month in Phillips — a 35% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Mercer has cheaper rent, Phillips actually has lower median home values ($93,000 vs $209,100).

Median household income in Mercer is $51,528 compared to $46,250 in Phillips (+11.4%). While Mercer is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Mercer spend roughly 12.2% of their income on rent, less than the 21% in Phillips.