Merrillville, IN vs Washington, IN

The cost of living difference between Merrillville, IN and Washington, IN is dramatic. Washington is 31.9% cheaper than Merrillville, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Merrillville has a cost index of 91 while Washington sits at 69, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Merrillville is $1,304/month compared to $854/month in Washington — a 53% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Washington is more affordable at $130,700 median vs $194,000.

Median household income in Merrillville is $64,791 compared to $50,000 in Washington (+29.6%). 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 20.5% in Washington.