City Comparison
Derby vs Leawood
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Derby scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Derby
Leawood
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Derby is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Leawood.
Housing costs are a major driver: Derby's average rent is
29% lower than Leawood's.
| Metric | Derby | Leawood | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,750 | -29% |
| Groceries | $380 | $480 | -21% |
| Utilities | $170 | $190 | -11% |
| Transport | $115 | $140 | -18% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,145 | $2,790 | -23% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 125 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Leawood offers 28% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Leawood delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Derby is estimated at
$52,000 vs $75,000 in Leawood.
| Metric | Derby | Leawood |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $95,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,913 idx | 76,000 idx |
| Household Income | $82,500 | $165,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Leawood sees 8.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Derby | Leawood |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.60°F | 56.90°F |
| Summer High | 86.80°F | 86.10°F |
| Winter Low | 23.50°F | 22.20°F |
| Rainfall | 36.70 in | 39.80 in |
| Snowfall | 9.50 in | 17.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 273 | 270 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Derby scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Derby | Leawood |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 32.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Leawood is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Derby.
From a growth perspective, Derby is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Leawood has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Derby | Leawood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,625 | 34,650 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 45.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 2.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Derby
Advantages
Derby Public Schools (USD 260) consistently rank among the top-performing districts in the Wichita metropolitan area.
Violent and property crime rates are substantially lower than the national average, ensuring a secure environment for families.
Madison Avenue Central Park serves as a premier community hub featuring an amphitheater, walking paths, and splash pads.
Proximity to Wichita provides access to major metropolitan job markets and amenities while retaining a quiet suburban feel.
Active commercial growth at the Derby Marketplace has expanded local shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options are extremely limited, resulting in high reliance on personal automobiles.
Property tax rates in Sedgwick County can be relatively high compared to surrounding rural counties.
Summer temperatures can be quite hot and humid, requiring high seasonal utility usage for air conditioning.
The local economy is closely tied to Wichita's aerospace sector, making it somewhat vulnerable to regional industrial shifts.
Nightlife and entertainment options within city limits are more subdued compared to the nearby urban center.
Leawood
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Kansas with violent crime rates well below the national average.
Home to top-performing public schools within the Blue Valley and Shawnee Mission school districts.
Exceptional median household income exceeding $160,000 per year per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Abundant green spaces, including over a dozen public parks and extensive hike-and-bike trail networks.
Premier shopping and dining destinations like Town Center Plaza and Park Place.
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing prices compared to the national average and Kansas state norms.
High level of car dependency with limited public transportation infrastructure within residential zones.
High property tax burdens associated with high municipal real estate valuations.
Limited inventory of affordable starter homes for first-time buyers within city limits.
Competitive real estate market driven by high demand for top school districts.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Derby
#52Kansas, USA
70.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
273/yr
Avg Temp
58.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
80
Business
70
Leawood
#171Kansas, USA
64.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$95,000
Cost Index
125
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
56.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
92
Business
78
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