Cost of Living in Merrillville, IN

With a cost of living index of 91, Merrillville, IN is slightly more affordable than average. Living here is 9% cheaper than the national average and 13% above the Indiana state average of 78. With a population of 36,343, Merrillville is a mid-sized community that balances access to services with a more manageable cost of living compared to larger metros.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Merrillville's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,304 (1% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $194,000 (36% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 3x the median household income — well within traditional affordability guidelines.

The median household income in Merrillville is $64,791, which is 14% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 24% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. Lower incomes here are balanced by the significantly lower cost of living, stretching each dollar further.

Everyday prices in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area tend to run above the national average. Out of 6 common grocery and utility items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5 are priced higher than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.