Hays, KS vs Merriam, KS

Hays is moderately more affordable than Merriam, with a 13.1% lower cost of living index. Hays scores 76 compared to 88 for Merriam, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Merriam can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Hays is $890/month compared to $1,161/month in Merriam — a 23% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hays is more affordable at $220,100 median vs $242,400.

Median household income in Hays is $56,861 compared to $71,665 in Merriam (-20.7%). While Merriam is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Hays spend roughly 18.8% of their income on rent, less than the 19.4% in Merriam.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (54.8°F vs 56.9°F). Merriam receives more rainfall at 38.1" per year compared to 24.8" in Hays.