Merlin, OR vs Wheeler, OR

Merlin, OR and Wheeler, OR have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.9% difference in their overall index. Merlin scores 103 while Wheeler scores 99 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 Merlin is $1,090/month compared to $933/month in Wheeler — a 17% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Wheeler is more affordable at $412,200 median vs $419,100.

Median household income in Merlin is $66,342 compared to $56,333 in Wheeler (+17.8%). While Merlin is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Merlin spend roughly 19.7% of their income on rent, less than the 19.9% in Wheeler.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.9°F vs 51.4°F). Wheeler receives more rainfall at 70.3" per year compared to 40.7" in Merlin.