Merrillville, IN vs Warsaw, IN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Warsaw is 16.5% cheaper than Merrillville. With a cost index of 78 vs 91, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Warsaw to Merrillville should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Merrillville is $1,304/month compared to $1,035/month in Warsaw — a 26% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Warsaw is more affordable at $175,300 median vs $194,000.

Median household income in Merrillville is $64,791 compared to $57,170 in Warsaw (+13.3%). The higher salaries in Merrillville partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Merrillville spend roughly 24.2% of their income on rent, more than the 21.7% in Warsaw.