Merigold, MS vs Raymond, MS

Raymond is moderately more affordable than Merigold, with a 5.7% lower cost of living index. Merigold scores 73 compared to 69 for Raymond, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Merigold can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Merigold is $1,083/month compared to $689/month in Raymond — a 57% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Raymond has cheaper rent, Merigold actually has lower median home values ($107,600 vs $206,000).

Median household income in Merigold is $53,558 compared to $46,875 in Raymond (+14.3%). While Merigold is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Merigold spend roughly 24.3% of their income on rent, more than the 17.6% in Raymond.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64°F vs 66°F). Raymond receives more rainfall at 51.3" per year compared to 49" in Merigold.