Cost of Living in Merrillville, IN - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,136 (excluding rent), and $2,520 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,710 (excluding rent), and $4,925 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.23 $18.23

$11.82 $11.82

$39.41 $39.41

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$64.9 $64.9

$39.94 $39.94

$79.9 $79.9

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.05 $10.05

$9.05 $9.05

$12.06 $12.06

Cappuccino

$5.09 $5.09

$3.95 $3.95

$5.93 $5.93

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.07 $3.07

$2.75 $2.75

$3.93 $3.93

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.21 $2.21

$1.77 $1.77

$3.03 $3.03

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.96 $4.96

$3.97 $3.97

$6.95 $6.95

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.82 $6.82

$5.84 $5.84

$7.79 $7.79

Milk (1 liter)

$0.82 $0.82

$0.73 $0.73

$1.01 $1.01

White Bread (500g)

$3.3 $3.3

$1.6 $1.6

$10.71 $10.71

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.41 $4.41

$1.73 $1.73

$8.66 $8.66

Eggs

$4.38 $4.38

$1.95 $1.95

$6.17 $6.17

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.12 $10.12

$7.88 $7.88

$13.51 $13.51

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.82 $12.82

$4.71 $4.71

$15.71 $15.71

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.11 $15.11

$13.06 $13.06

$17.39 $17.39

Apples (1kg)

$5.71 $5.71

$4.4 $4.4

$8.85 $8.85

Banana (1kg)

$1.16 $1.16

$0.89 $0.89

$4.47 $4.47

Oranges (1kg)

$4.48 $4.48

$2.37 $2.37

$6.45 $6.45

Tomato (1kg)

$4.79 $4.79

$2.14 $2.14

$6.3 $6.3

Potato (1kg)

$2.21 $2.21

$1.11 $1.11

$4.54 $4.54

Onion (1kg)

$2.13 $2.13

$1.51 $1.51

$6.56 $6.56

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.97 $1.97

$1.31 $1.31

$3.02 $3.02

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.65 $2.65

$1.49 $1.49

$2.97 $2.97

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.4 $10.4

$9.71 $9.71

$11.18 $11.18

Wine (Bottle)

$11.89 $11.89

$9.9 $9.9

$29.73 $29.73

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.84 $1.84

$1.72 $1.72

$2.38 $2.38

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.54 $3.54

$1.52 $1.52

$5.06 $5.06

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.97 $1.97

$1.23 $1.23

$1.97 $1.97

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.77 $2.77

$4.46 $4.46

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.12 $2.12

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$20.6 $20.6

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.79 $0.79

$0.7 $0.7

$0.91 $0.91

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$29.9K $29.9K

$23K $23K

$35.4K $35.4K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.7K $25.7K

$24.3K $24.3K

$25.7K $25.7K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$187 $187

$153 $153

$234 $234

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$48.27 $48.27

$35.11 $35.11

$80.3 $80.3

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$63.4 $63.4

$49.69 $49.69

$85.5 $85.5

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.47 $42.47

$17.28 $17.28

$49.38 $49.38

Cinema Ticket

$14.66 $14.66

$9.96 $9.96

$17.41 $17.41

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,814 $1,814

$2,291 $2,291

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$24.5K $24.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$43.11 $43.11

$12.03 $12.03

$100 $100

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$44.73 $44.73

$24.58 $24.58

$49.15 $49.15

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$80.6 $80.6

$45.33 $45.33

$151 $151

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$104 $104

$53.4 $53.4

$198 $198

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,586 $1,586

$1,188 $1,188

$1,839 $1,839

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,343 $1,343

$992 $992

$1,488 $1,488

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,620 $2,620

$1,993 $1,993

$2,989 $2,989

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,212 $2,212

$1,692 $1,692

$2,488 $2,488

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,899 $2,899

$2,127 $2,127

$2,899 $2,899

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,344 $2,344

$1,915 $1,915

$2,344 $2,344

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.55

6.19

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: December 2, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Merrillville, IN - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared to a big metro, Cost of Living in Merrillville, IN, United States remains practical for daily life. Housing options range from affordable apartments to family homes, often at lower rents than downtown Chicago or similar hubs, and groceries and dining tend to be reasonable. Transport is typically car-focused, with highways nearby and limited rapid transit, which shapes budgeting around commute and parking. Seasonal costs exist, especially heating in winter and cooling in summer, but you gain steady services, nearby malls, parks, and libraries. For a longer stay, the area offers calm neighborhoods with dependable amenities and a straightforward, predictable rhythm. Tip: Start with a short-term stay to test neighborhoods and commute patterns.

Daily life centers on practical convenience. For housing, start with online listings, local agents, and brief tours of quiet pockets near malls and parks; you'll see a mix of rentals, townhomes, and condos that work for short or long stays. Grocery stores, casual dining, and coffee shops are plentiful, with options from big-chain supermarkets to neighborhood markets. Getting around is mostly car-based, but Pace buses and ride-hailing cover occasional trips to nearby towns; many people combine errands in the same outing to save time. Co-working is workable in local cafes or nearby shared spaces. If you want a quick read on Merrillville, IN, United States living cost, you'll see day-to-day expenses stay accessible for a range of budgets. Tip: Map your week around a central hub to limit trips.

Quality of life here blends suburban calm with access to urban opportunities. A simple budgeting approach helps: prioritize housing, then groceries and transit, with a buffer for seasonal utility costs. Neighborhoods near public parks, schools, and the Lake County shore offer family-friendly vibes; others near malls and dining lanes suit those who prefer convenience. Saving tips include cooking at home, shopping with weekly circulars, and using the library for free resources and coworking spaces. Seasonality influences routines – winter layers and energy awareness, summer outdoor activities – yet you still enjoy reliable services and strong infrastructure. Tip: Build a flexible weekly plan that shifts with weather and available deals.