Hesston, KS vs Merriam, KS

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Hesston is 22.2% cheaper than Merriam. With a cost index of 68 vs 88, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Hesston to Merriam should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Hesston is $722/month compared to $1,161/month in Merriam — a 38% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hesston is more affordable at $183,000 median vs $242,400.

Median household income in Hesston is $72,620 compared to $71,665 in Merriam (+1.3%). Hesston offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Hesston spend roughly 11.9% of their income on rent, less than the 19.4% in Merriam.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (56.1°F vs 56.9°F). Merriam receives more rainfall at 38.1" per year compared to 28.3" in Hesston.