Merrillville, IN vs Normal, IL
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Merrillville
72.6
#860 nationally
Normal
76.8
#316 nationally
Normal leads in average commute (17.2 min vs 31.7 min). Normal leads in walk score (40 vs 23). Merrillville leads in crime level (7.8 vs 9.0).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Merrillville, IN | Normal, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.6 (#860) | 76.8 (#316) |
| Population | 36,347 | 52,618 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $246,742 | $269,069 |
| Median Household Income | $62,221 | $63,965 |
| Average Commute | 31.7 min | 17.2 min |
| Walk Score | 23 | 40 |
| Crime Level | 7.8 | 9.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 94 | 97 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+5.6 | D+4.9 |
C-
72.6 Score
Merrillville, IN
Small Indiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$246,742
Population
36,347
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
23
Midwest
View Merrillville, IN →
C
76.8 Score
Normal, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$269,069
Population
52,618
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
40
Midwest
View Normal, IL →
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