What are the schools like in Merriam, KS?

Merriam is served primarily by Shawnee Mission Pub Sch. The district operates 34 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, and 6 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.3:1.

What is the median household income in Merriam?

The median household income in Merriam, KS is $69,414 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 6.2%.

What is the weather like in Merriam, KS?

Merriam has an average high temperature of 39.9°F in January and 90.2°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 40.8 inches and annual snowfall averages 11.0 inches.

Merriam, KS Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Merriam, KS affordable or expensive?

Merriam's cost of living index is 93, where 100 represents the national average. This means Merriam is 7% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $229,000 and the median rent is $1,117 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Merriam, KS?

Merriam has a violent crime rate of 435.4 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 5586.4 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Merriam, KS a Good Place to Live?

Merriam is a small city of 11,070 in Kansas, with a median household income of $69,414 and a 6.2% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is 7% below the national average.

Strengths: Merriam stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (A-), a well-educated population, short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include a higher-than-average crime index, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Merriam is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Merriam city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 93.3

Merriam's overall cost of living index is 93.3, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Merriam costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.

Metric	Merriam, KS	National Avg
Median Home Value	$229,000	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,117	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	59.7%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$69,414	$74,755

Crime & Safety

High Crime

Merriam's violent crime rate is 435.4 per 100,000 residents — 15% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

435.4 /100k

Property Crime

5586.4 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Merriam is served primarily by Shawnee Mission Pub Sch. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.3:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Merriam, KS	National Avg
School District	Shawnee Mission Pub Sch	—
Elementary Schools	34	—
Middle Schools	5	—
High Schools	6	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	14.3:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	42.5%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	95.6%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Merriam sees average highs of 39.9°F in January and 90.2°F in July, with 40.8 inches of annual precipitation and 11.0 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Merriam, KS
Average High — January	39.9°F
Average High — July	90.2°F
Annual Precipitation	40.8"
Annual Snowfall	11.0"

Demographics

Metric	Merriam, KS	National Avg
Population	11,070	—
Median Age	38.0	38.9
Unemployment Rate	6.2%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	19.6 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	82.6%	59.3%
Black or African American	8.3%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	3.7%	18.9%
Asian	2.4%	6.3%
Under 18	18.2%	22.2%
65 and over	18.7%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Mission, KS 2 mi Roeland Park, KS 3 mi Fairway, KS 4 mi Prairie Village, KS 4 mi Mission Hills, KS 4 mi

Merriam vs Other Cities

Merriam, KS vs Mission, KS Merriam, KS vs Roeland Park, KS Merriam, KS vs Fairway, KS Merriam, KS vs Prairie Village, KS Merriam, KS vs Mission Hills, KS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Merriam, KS affordable or expensive?

Merriam's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average. That makes Merriam roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $229,000 and median rent is $1,117/month.

What is the crime rate in Merriam, KS?

Merriam's violent crime rate is 435.4 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 5586.4 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Merriam?

Public schools in Merriam are operated by Shawnee Mission Pub Sch. The district has 34 elementary, 5 middle, and 6 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.3:1. 42.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Merriam, KS a good place to live?

Merriam, KS has a population of 11,070, a median household income of $69,414, and an unemployment rate of 6.2%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Merriam?

Merriam averages 39.9°F in January and 90.2°F in July. Annual rainfall is 40.8 inches with about 11.0 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What is the population of Merriam?

The population of Merriam, Kansas is 11,070 with a median age of 38.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Merriam?

Key numbers for living in Merriam: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $229,000, median household income $69,414, crime index 175 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Merriam side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.