Merrill, IA vs Rockwell City, IA

Merrill, IA and Rockwell City, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.8% difference in their overall index. Merrill scores 62 while Rockwell City scores 63 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 Merrill is $581/month compared to $797/month in Rockwell City — a 27% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Merrill has cheaper rent, Rockwell City actually has lower median home values ($91,300 vs $157,200).

Median household income in Merrill is $79,250 compared to $61,563 in Rockwell City (+28.7%). Merrill offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Merrill spend roughly 8.8% of their income on rent, less than the 15.5% in Rockwell City.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.4°F vs 48.6°F). Rockwell City receives more rainfall at 35.9" per year compared to 29.3" in Merrill.