What is the cost of living in Merriam, KS?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Merriam has an overall cost of living index of 98, which is 1.0x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Kansas, Merriam has a cost of living index that's 1.1x higher than Kansas's index of 91.
The standard of living in Merriam ranks as #46 most affordable out of the 65 places we measured in Kansas. By definition, that implies Merriam ranks as the #19 most expensive place in the Sunflower State.
For more reading on life in Merriam, check out:
Merriam Cost Of Living Vs. Kansas
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Merriam. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Merriam is 99.
The Groceries index in Merriam is 93.
The Health index in Merriam is 104.
The Housing index in Merriam is 97.
The Transportation index in Merriam is 97.
The Utilities index in Merriam is 91.
| Living Expense | Merriam | Kansas | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 98 | 91 | 100 |
| Services | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 93 | 97 | 100 |
| Health | 104 | 76 | 100 |
| Housing | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 93 | 100 |
| Utilities | 91 | 95 | 100 |
Merriam Cost Of Living Compared To Kansas Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Kansas, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Merriam Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Merriam, KS Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Kansas, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Merriam is $326,708.
The Median Rent in Merriam is $1,181.
The Median Income in Merriam is $73,600.
The Home Value To Income in Merriam is 4.4x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Merriam is 0.19x.
Merriam, KS Costs By Category
Detailed Merriam Services costs vs. Kansas
Detailed Merriam Groceries costs vs. Kansas
Detailed Merriam Health costs vs. Kansas
Detailed Merriam Transportation costs vs. Kansas
Merriam SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Merriam
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Merriam. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Olathe, KS has a cost of living index of 107, 1.1x Merriam.
Lee's Summit, MO has a cost of living index of 102, 1.0x Merriam.
Shawnee, KS has a cost of living index of 106, 1.1x Merriam.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Merriam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olathe, KS | 145,057 | 107 | 1.1x |
| Lee's Summit, MO | 103,656 | 102 | 1.0x |
| Shawnee, KS | 68,542 | 106 | 1.1x |
| Lenexa, KS | 58,384 | 110 | 1.1x |
| Leawood, KS | 33,809 | 134 | 1.4x |
| Raymore, MO | 24,526 | 103 | 1.1x |
| Mission, KS | 9,915 | 98 | 1.0x |
| Spring Hill, KS | 9,120 | 104 | 1.1x |
| Parkville, MO | 8,366 | 125 | 1.3x |
| Roeland Park, KS | 6,763 | 103 | 1.1x |
