Cost of Living in Merrill, WI

Population 9,224 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023

46
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Merrill is a smaller Wisconsin community of around 9000 residents, where median household incomes of $49,947 and housing costs ($113,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Located 95 miles west of Green Bay, Merrill is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 41% lower than Green Bay's $192,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 37
Rent 60

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Merrill

The median home value in Merrill is $113,200 — 63% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $784/month, 40% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $49,947/year is 33% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.5%, below the national average of 4.8%. Wisconsin's top state income tax rate is 7.7% and the combined sales tax is 5.4%. The climate averages highs of 53.2°F and lows of 34.0°F, with about 64.3" of annual snowfall. Overall, Merrill has a cost of living index of 46 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 54% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$113,200
63% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$213,836
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$784/mo
40% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.0x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$712
1 BR
$781
2 BR
$997
3 BR
$1,290
4 BR
$1,448
Owner-occupied 60.8%
Renter-occupied 39.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$784
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,398/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
19.3 min
29% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.8%
Carpooled
8.2%
Walked
2.7%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
11.8%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 7.7%
Total Sales Tax 5.4%
State rate 5.0%
Avg local rate 0.4%
Property Tax 1.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$49,947
33% below avg
Per Capita Income
$30,741
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
27% below avg
Poverty Rate
17.3%
Labor Force Participation
62.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 9.5%
Graduate degree 5.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 43.4
Male median age 43.8
Female median age 42.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
53.2°F
Avg Low
34.0°F
Annual Precip
33.9"
Annual Snowfall
64.3"
23° 45° 68° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 232740546776807870564028
Low °F 71021324555595749372514
Precip" 1.201.081.833.123.794.673.864.073.833.071.851.54
Snow" 14.812.78.36.50.20.00.00.00.00.96.514.4

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

91%
4-Year Graduation Rate
16.1:1
Student-teacher ratio
9
Public schools
3,233
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Merrill, WI?

Merrill has a cost index of 46 (100 = national average). It is 54% below the national average.

What is average rent in Merrill, WI?

The median gross rent in Merrill is $784 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Merrill?

The median home value in Merrill is $113,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Merrill?

The median household income in Merrill is $49,947 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Merrill, WI?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Merrill is 5.4%. The Wisconsin state income tax top rate is 7.7%.

Is Merrill, WI affordable?

Yes, Merrill is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 46 — about 54% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Merrill?

Merrill has average high temperatures of 53.2°F and average lows of 34.0°F. Annual precipitation is 33.9". Average annual snowfall is 64.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Merrill at a Glance

Population
9,224
Median Income
$49,947
Home Value
$113,200
Median Rent
$784/mo
Unemployment
3.5%
Avg High Temp
53.2°F
Sales Tax
5.4%
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