2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Elkhart, IN vs Merced, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Merced or is it cheaper to live in Elkhart?
- Merced is 32.1% more expensive than Elkhart.

Which city has more affordable housing, Merced or Elkhart?
- Merced housing costs are 89.5% more expensive than Elkhart housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Elkhart or is Health Care more affordable in Merced.
- Health related expenses are 29.9% more in Merced.
 Elkhart, INMerced, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock109.1100
 Food & Groceries91.8  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock121.3100
 Housing58.2  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$373,000$338,100
 Utilities93  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock101.1100
 Miscellaneous89.2  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Elkhart    8 Reviews

Over 12 years ago

I grew up in Elkhart and it's not the greatest city. My car had been broken into numerous times while living in northern Indiana (South Bend as well). I attribute to  More

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Over 13 years ago

I moved away from Elkhart and returned 20 years later. During my time away I lived in many locations around the west coast - but mostly in Arizona. The last couple of  More

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Over 13 years ago

I left Elkhart 20 years ago, lived mainly in Arizona and returned recently. I have been pleasantly surprised at the wonderful people I've met here. I've made more  More

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Reviews for Merced    44 Reviews

Merced is totally slept on - you want a little bit of everything CA has to offer, at a fraction of the price of other CA cities? Merced is the place to go. The town  More

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Over 5 years ago

Good place to live. More affordable than most of california. The city is growing and there is alot of business and growth here. Moved from the Bay area years ago and  More

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Great place to live. Lots of progress and changes coming to the city. Great place to raise a family. UC Merced is expanding and businesses are investing. Downtown is  More

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