Merino, CO vs Silver Cliff, CO

Merino, CO and Silver Cliff, CO have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.1% difference in their overall index. Merino scores 84 while Silver Cliff scores 87 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 Merino is $1,159/month compared to $979/month in Silver Cliff — a 18% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Silver Cliff has cheaper rent, Merino actually has lower median home values ($161,300 vs $261,100).

Median household income in Merino is $63,125 compared to $32,083 in Silver Cliff (+96.8%). Merino offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Merino spend roughly 22% of their income on rent, less than the 36.6% in Silver Cliff. The Merino ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.