salaryRent is lower than in 69% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are long, about 32.1 minutes each way.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $51,880 a year. That is $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Indiana cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Indiana. It is number 80 of 132 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Merrillville?
Share of households by yearly income. 20.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Merrillville
| Size | Merrillville | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,333 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,117 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,646 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,569 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Merrillville overall?
Everyday prices in Indiana overall are 7% below the U.S. average (index 93.3, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Merrillville, so the Indiana figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Merrillville
Life in Merrillville
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Merrillville?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $170 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $211,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $21,140 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Merrillville, IN?
Renting in Merrillville costs a median of about $1,297 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Indiana median is $1,219.
How much do I need to make to live in Merrillville?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $51,880 a year, or $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Merrillville cheap or expensive?
Merrillville is rated OK: rent takes 21.4% of the typical household income of $72,893. It ranks 80th cheapest of 132 Indiana cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Merrillville?
The median homeowner in Merrillville pays $1,805 a year in property taxes, about 0.85% of the median home value.
Is Merrillville more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Indiana are 7% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Merrillville?
The median home value in Merrillville is $211,400, about 2.9 times the typical yearly household income.
36,476 people live in Merrillville. Numbers are typical (middle) values.