2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Merrillville, IN vs Des Plaines, IL

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Des Plaines or is it cheaper to live in Merrillville?
- Des Plaines is 21.1% more expensive than Merrillville.

Which city has more affordable housing, Des Plaines or Merrillville?
- Des Plaines housing costs are 51.7% more expensive than Merrillville housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Merrillville or is Health Care more affordable in Des Plaines.
- Health related expenses are 6.0% less in Des Plaines.
 Merrillville, INDes Plaines, ILUnited States
 Overall  Unlock105.7100
 Food & Groceries94.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock88.0100
 Housing66.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$267,600$338,100
 Utilities99  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock125.9100
 Miscellaneous98.3  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Merrillville    3 Reviews

Over 5 years ago

too close to Gary with that  More

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Just thirty minuits from Chicago . Good schools. Low cost of  More

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Reasonable cost of living and fairly safe. Also close to Chitown so the cultural stuff is there. Shopping is run of the mill brand name franchises, nothing too  More

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Reviews for Des Plaines    4 Reviews

Over 15 years ago

low  More

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Over 16 years ago

The historic center of des plaines is also downtown. Fairly easy commute to Chicago. The metra is right there. Also there is the Des Plaines public library with a great  More

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Over 18 years ago

Changing of the seasons is good. But it's too cold for too  More

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