City Comparison
Derby vs Overland Park
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Derby scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Derby
Overland Park
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Derby is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Overland Park.
Housing costs are a major driver: Derby's average rent is
14% lower than Overland Park's.
| Metric | Derby | Overland Park | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,450 | -14% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 | -3% |
| Transport | $115 | $115 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,145 | $2,390 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 102 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Overland Park offers 13% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Overland Park delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Derby is estimated at
$52,000 vs $58,000 in Overland Park.
| Metric | Derby | Overland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,913 idx | 76,471 idx |
| Household Income | $82,500 | $95,450 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Overland Park sees 8.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Derby | Overland Park |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 42.60 in |
| Snowfall | 9.50 in | 18.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 273 | 266 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Overland Park scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Derby | Overland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Overland Park is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Derby.
From a growth perspective, Derby is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Derby | Overland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,625 | 197,238 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 38.4 |
| 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.
Overland Park
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest large cities in Kansas with low violent crime rates per FBI crime data.
Home to top-performing public school districts within Johnson County, attracting families from across the region.
Robust local economy anchored by major engineering, technology, and healthcare corporations.
Extensive park system featuring over 80 parks, athletic fields, and the 300-acre Overland Park Arboretum.
Vibrant and growing culinary, arts, and shopping scene centered around Downtown Overland Park and Prairiefire.
Drawbacks
Cost of living and housing prices are higher than the Kansas state average and national medians in certain sectors.
High automobile dependency with limited fixed-rail public transit options across the suburban expanse.
Property taxes in Johnson County can be relatively high for homeowners.
Humid continental climate brings hot summer peaks and cold winter freezes, requiring climate-controlled infrastructure.
Traffic congestion can spike during peak commute hours along major thoroughfares like I-435 and US-69.
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
Overland Park
#63Kansas, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
56.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
85
Business
79
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