What is the cost of living in Merrill, WI?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Merrill has an overall cost of living index of 86, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Wisconsin, Merrill has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Wisconsin's index of 98.
The standard of living in Merrill ranks as #5 most affordable out of the 146 places we measured in Wisconsin. By definition, that implies Merrill ranks as the #141 most expensive place in the Badger State.
For more reading on life in Merrill, check out:
Merrill Cost Of Living Vs. Wisconsin
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Merrill. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Merrill is 95.
The Groceries index in Merrill is 98.
The Health index in Merrill is 53.
The Housing index in Merrill is 102.
The Transportation index in Merrill is 100.
The Utilities index in Merrill is 98.
| Living Expense | Merrill | Wisconsin | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 86 | 98 | 100 |
| Services | 95 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Health | 53 | 91 | 100 |
| Housing | 102 | 99 | 100 |
| Transportation | 100 | 102 | 100 |
| Utilities | 98 | 100 | 100 |
Merrill Cost Of Living Compared To Wisconsin Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Wisconsin, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Merrill Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Merrill, WI Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Wisconsin, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Merrill is $218,029.
The Median Rent in Merrill is $771.
The Median Income in Merrill is $53,148.
The Home Value To Income in Merrill is 4.1x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Merrill is 0.17x.
Merrill, WI Costs By Category
Detailed Merrill Services costs vs. Wisconsin
Detailed Merrill Groceries costs vs. Wisconsin
Detailed Merrill Health costs vs. Wisconsin
Detailed Merrill Transportation costs vs. Wisconsin
Merrill SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Merrill
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Merrill. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Wausau, WI has a cost of living index of 91, 1.1x Merrill.
Stevens Point, WI has a cost of living index of 95, 1.1x Merrill.
Marshfield, WI has a cost of living index of 93, 1.1x Merrill.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Merrill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wausau, WI | 39,996 | 91 | 1.1x |
| Stevens Point, WI | 25,785 | 95 | 1.1x |
| Marshfield, WI | 18,700 | 93 | 1.1x |
| Weston, WI | 15,749 | 97 | 1.1x |
| Kronenwetter, WI | 8,395 | 99 | 1.2x |
| Rhinelander, WI | 8,316 | 88 | 1.0x |
| Antigo, WI | 8,069 | 81 | 0.9x |
| Rothschild, WI | 5,600 | 94 | 1.1x |
