Iola, KS vs Merriam, KS

The cost of living difference between Iola, KS and Merriam, KS is dramatic. Iola is 33.3% cheaper than Merriam, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Iola has a cost index of 58 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 Iola is $689/month compared to $1,161/month in Merriam — a 41% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Iola is more affordable at $78,100 median vs $242,400.

Median household income in Iola is $50,417 compared to $71,665 in Merriam (-29.6%). The higher salaries in Merriam partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Iola spend roughly 16.4% of their income on rent, less than the 19.4% in Merriam.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (58°F vs 56.9°F). Iola receives more rainfall at 40.7" per year compared to 38.1" in Merriam.