City Comparison
Derby vs Manhattan
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Derby scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Derby
Manhattan
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Manhattan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Derby.
Housing costs are a major driver: Derby's average rent is
14% higher than Manhattan's.
| Metric | Derby | Manhattan | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,100 | +14% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $115 | $110 | +5% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,145 | $2,020 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Derby offers 17% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Derby delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Derby is estimated at
$52,000 vs $50,000 in Manhattan.
| Metric | Derby | Manhattan |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,913 idx | 61,053 idx |
| Household Income | $82,500 | $62,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.7°F of each other.
For sunshine, Manhattan comes out ahead with 13 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Manhattan sees 6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Derby | Manhattan |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.60°F | 56.90°F |
| Summer High | 86.80°F | 86.40°F |
| Winter Low | 23.50°F | 20.70°F |
| Rainfall | 36.70 in | 32.30 in |
| Snowfall | 9.50 in | 15.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 273 | 286 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Manhattan has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Derby.
Manhattan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Manhattan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Derby | Manhattan |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Manhattan is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Derby.
From a growth perspective, Derby is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Manhattan has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Derby | Manhattan |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,625 | 54,100 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 26.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 3.20% |
| 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.
Manhattan
Advantages
Cost of living sits approximately 5% below the national average per recent cost-of-living indices.
Exceptional public safety ratings with crime rates well below state and national medians.
Proximity to Tuttle Creek Lake offers vast outdoor recreation, boating, and hiking opportunities.
Vibrant arts, cultural events, and Division I Big 12 collegiate athletics anchored by K-State.
High educational attainment levels and strong local public school performance.
Drawbacks
Rental market can experience tight inventories and higher prices near the university campus.
Local economy is heavily reliant on the university and military base, creating vulnerability to state/federal budget shifts.
Limited commercial flight options out of Manhattan Regional Airport require driving to Kansas City for major travel.
Humid continental climate brings notably cold winter extremes and occasional severe spring weather.
Public transit options are somewhat limited outside of core fixed-route bus services.
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
Manhattan
#170Kansas, USA
64.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
286/yr
Avg Temp
56.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
77
Business
70
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