Merrillan, WI vs Spencer, WI

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Spencer is 17.3% cheaper than Merrillan. With a cost index of 60 vs 71, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Spencer to Merrillan should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Merrillan is $892/month compared to $550/month in Spencer — a 62% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Spencer has cheaper rent, Merrillan actually has lower median home values ($129,300 vs $143,000).

Median household income in Merrillan is $53,875 compared to $74,245 in Spencer (-27.4%). Spencer offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Merrillan spend roughly 19.9% of their income on rent, more than the 8.9% in Spencer.