Concordia, KS vs Merriam, KS

The cost of living difference between Concordia, KS and Merriam, KS is dramatic. Concordia is 31.3% cheaper than Merriam, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Concordia has a cost index of 60 while Merriam sits at 88, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Concordia is $698/month compared to $1,161/month in Merriam — a 40% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Concordia is more affordable at $96,100 median vs $242,400.

Median household income in Concordia is $50,213 compared to $71,665 in Merriam (-29.9%). The higher salaries in Merriam partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Concordia spend roughly 16.7% of their income on rent, less than the 19.4% in Merriam.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (54.1°F vs 56.9°F). Merriam receives more rainfall at 38.1" per year compared to 28.4" in Concordia.