Studio Apartment Rent in Merrillville, IN
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Merrillville, Indiana as of July 2026. That's +34% lower than the citywide median of $1,550 and +20% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Merrillville
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Merrillville
Compare Merrillville's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Indiana
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frankfort | $517 |
| 2 | Crawfordsville | $644 |
| 3 | Marion | $650 |
| 4 | East Chicago | $670 |
| 5 | Michigan City | $700 |
| 6 | Richmond | $710 |
| 7 | Delphi | $720 |
| 8 | Angola | $730 |
| 9 | New Castle | $730 |
| 10 | Muncie | $735 |
| 11 | Mishawaka | $740 |
| 12 | Logansport | $770 |
| 13 | South Bend | $775 |
| 14 | Kokomo | $780 |
| 15 | Evansville | $792 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Indiana
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zionsville | $1,390 |
| 2 | Whitestown | $1,330 |
| 3 | Carmel | $1,327 |
| 4 | McCordsville | $1,210 |
| 5 | Lawrence | $1,205 |
| 6 | Avon | $1,190 |
| 7 | Westfield | $1,180 |
| 8 | Fishers | $1,170 |
| 9 | Brownsburg | $1,120 |
| 10 | Sellersburg | $1,100 |
| 11 | Granger | $1,070 |
| 12 | Noblesville | $1,050 |
| 13 | Columbus | $1,045 |
| 14 | Munster | $1,040 |
| 15 | Plainfield | $1,030 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Merrillville.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Merrillville |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crown Point, IN | 5.3 mi | $990 | $-40 (-4%) |
| Gary, IN | 5.7 mi | $840 | $-190 (-18%) |
| Hobart, IN | 6.6 mi | $880 | $-150 (-15%) |
| Lake Station, IN | 8.2 mi | $890 | $-140 (-14%) |
| Highland, IN | 9.7 mi | $1,000 | $-30 (-3%) |
| Munster, IN | 12.6 mi | $1,040 | +$10 (+1%) |
| Portage, IN | 13 mi | $870 | $-160 (-16%) |
| East Chicago, IN | 14.2 mi | $670 | $-360 (-35%) |
| Lansing, IL | 16.1 mi | $1,270 | +$240 (+23%) |
| Lowell, IN | 16.6 mi | $1,000 | $-30 (-3%) |
| Calumet City, IL | 17.7 mi | $1,180 | +$150 (+15%) |
| Valparaiso, IN | 18.3 mi | $930 | $-100 (-10%) |
Studio rent in Merrillville — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Merrillville?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Merrillville, Indiana is $1,030 per month. This is +34% below the citywide median of $1,550.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Merrillville?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $41,200 ($3,433/month gross), which works out to roughly $19.81/hour at a full-time job.
Is Merrillville expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Merrillville's studio median of $1,030 is +20% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 30th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Merrillville rank for studio rent in Indiana?
Among the 63 cities in Indiana with studio data, Merrillville ranks #48 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Merrillville?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Crown Point ($990), Gary ($840), Hobart ($880).