Merrill, WI vs Tomahawk, WI

Merrill, WI and Tomahawk, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2% difference in their overall index. Merrill scores 65 while Tomahawk scores 64 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 $784/month compared to $554/month in Tomahawk — a 42% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Tomahawk has cheaper rent, Merrill actually has lower median home values ($113,200 vs $168,200).

Median household income in Merrill is $49,947 compared to $60,905 in Tomahawk (-18%). Tomahawk 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 18.8% of their income on rent, more than the 10.9% in Tomahawk.