Cost of Living in Merrill, MI

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18%
Overall NAT. AVG.
4%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
51%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Merrill Michigan National
Cost of living8291100
Goods & Services9796100
Groceries9999100
Health care7992100
Housing4976100
Transportation97100100
Utilities10097100
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Homes For Sale In Merrill, MI

property for sale

416 W Saginaw St

Merrill, MI
property for sale

20590 Gratiot Rd

Merrill, MI
property for sale

131 S Melze St

Merrill, MI
property for sale

Swan Creek Rd

Hemlock, MI

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Merrill is 9% lower than the Michigan average
  • The cost of living in Merrill is 18% lower than the national average
  • Merrill housing is 51% lower than the national average
  • Michigan general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Michigan state income tax is 64% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Merrill

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Compare Merrill, MI Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$69,715$5,810$1,627$2,092
      Renters$41,949$3,496$979$1,259

      Michigan Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Michigan 6% 6%

      Michigan Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Michigan 4.25% 4.25%

      Goods & Services

      Item Merrill National avg. Difference
      Haircut $22.56$27.6218.3%
      Beauty Salon $51.48$51.110.7%
      Toothpaste $4.25$4.093.8%
      Shampoo $1.29$1.5416.3%
      Movie $10.90$12.8815.4%
      Yoga $17.58$19.6610.6%

      Groceries

      Item Merrill National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.61$7.701.2%
      Fried Chicken $1.71$1.662.9%
      Milk $4.87$4.732.9%
      Potatoes $5.31$5.261.0%
      Pizza $11.93$12.766.5%
      Beer $9.61$10.558.9%

      Health Care

      Item Merrill National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $99.93$140.0628.7%
      Doctor $95.69$153.8237.8%
      Dentist $103.69$123.1515.8%
      Ibuprofen $11.59$11.731.2%
      Lipitor $19.28$23.6118.3%

      Housing

      Item Merrill National avg. Difference
      Home Price $135,234.00$326,622.0058.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,780.07$2,480.2528.2%
      Apartment Rent $945.00$1,444.0034.6%

      Transportation

      Item Merrill National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.06$3.060.0%
      Tire Balancing $59.56$65.218.7%

      Utilities

      Item Merrill National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $221.60$220.120.7%
      Phone $193.24$195.711.3%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Breckenridge, MI1,4728317.1%
      St. Charles, MI2,1528317.0%
      St. Louis, MI7,3168415.8%
      Ithaca, MI2,9238515.3%
      Hemlock, MI1,0818713.0%
      Merrill, MI8698217.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Belleville, AR8697723.1%
      East Tulare Villa, CA86911414.0%
      Marion, MI8698416.1%
      Deer River, MN8698613.6%
      Highlandville, MO8698812.3%
      Merrill, MI8698217.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
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