Fairway, KS vs Merriam, KS

The cost of living difference between Fairway, KS and Merriam, KS is dramatic. Merriam is 60.3% cheaper than Fairway, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fairway has a cost index of 141 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 Fairway is $1,867/month compared to $1,161/month in Merriam — a 61% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Merriam is more affordable at $242,400 median vs $626,600.

Median household income in Fairway is $159,821 compared to $71,665 in Merriam (+123%). While Fairway is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fairway spend roughly 14% of their income on rent, less than the 19.4% in Merriam.

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