salaryRent here is among the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 18.4 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $17,480 a year. That is $8 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Wisconsin cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Wisconsin. It is number 1 of 156 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Merrill?
Share of households by yearly income. 15.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Merrill
| Size | Merrill | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $670 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $965 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $934 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,219 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Merrill overall?
Everyday prices in Wisconsin overall are 6% below the U.S. average (index 94.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Merrill, so the Wisconsin figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Merrill
Life in Merrill
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Merrill?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $422 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $123,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $12,380 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Merrill, WI?
Renting in Merrill costs a median of about $437 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Wisconsin median is $1,305.
How much do I need to make to live in Merrill?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $17,480 a year, or $8 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Merrill cheap or expensive?
Merrill is rated Cheap: rent takes 9.1% of the typical household income of $57,320. It ranks 1st cheapest of 156 Wisconsin cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Merrill?
The median homeowner in Merrill pays $2,415 a year in property taxes, about 1.95% of the median home value.
Is Merrill more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Wisconsin are 6% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Merrill?
The median home value in Merrill is $123,800, about 2.2 times the typical yearly household income.
9,356 people live in Merrill. Numbers are typical (middle) values.