| Index | Merrill | Michigan | National |
| Cost of living | 83 | 91 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 49 | 76 | 100 |
| Transportation | 94 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Household Items | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 100 | 95 | 100 |

| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| 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 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Michigan | 6% | 6% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Michigan | 4.25% | 4.25% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Breckenridge, MI | 1,472 | 83 | 16.5% |
| St. Charles, MI | 2,152 | 82 | 17.5% |
| St. Louis, MI | 7,316 | 85 | 15.2% |
| Ithaca, MI | 2,923 | 85 | 14.7% |
| Hemlock, MI | 1,081 | 88 | 12.4% |
| Merrill, MI | 869 | 83 | 17.2% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Belleville, AR | 869 | 82 | 18.0% |
| East Tulare Villa, CA | 869 | 112 | 12.4% |
| Marion, MI | 869 | 81 | 18.6% |
| Deer River, MN | 869 | 87 | 13.2% |
| Highlandville, MO | 869 | 90 | 10.3% |
| Merrill, MI | 869 | 83 | 17.2% |