City Comparison
Derby vs Prairie Village
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Derby scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Derby
Prairie Village
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Derby is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Prairie Village.
Housing costs are a major driver: Derby's average rent is
31% lower than Prairie Village's.
| Metric | Derby | Prairie Village | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,800 | -31% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $115 | $130 | -12% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,145 | $2,760 | -22% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 125 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Prairie Village offers 13% lower 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 $65,000 in Prairie Village.
| Metric | Derby | Prairie Village |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,913 idx | 62,400 idx |
| Household Income | $82,500 | $113,530 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Prairie Village sees 8.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Derby | Prairie Village |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Prairie Village has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Derby.
For walkability, Prairie Village leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Derby | Prairie Village |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Derby is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Prairie Village.
From a growth perspective, Derby is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Prairie Village has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Derby | Prairie Village |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,625 | 22,900 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.14% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 42.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 2.90% |
| 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.
Prairie Village
Advantages
Median household income stands at $113,530, reflecting a prosperous and economically stable local population per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Crime rates are roughly 50% lower than the Kansas state average, providing an exceptionally secure residential environment per AreaVibes.
Over 72% of adult residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, creating an educated and intellectually engaged community per ACS data.
High homeownership rate of 77% with strong property value appreciation trends across established neighborhoods per Zillow and Census reports.
Proximity to premier shopping hubs like the Prairie Village Shops and Corinth Square offering vibrant local dining and retail options.
Drawbacks
Cost of living is approximately 25-30% higher than the national average, driven largely by elevated housing and property costs.
Heavy reliance on private automobiles with limited public transit options within the immediate municipal boundaries.
Competitive real estate market with rising home values that can create barriers to entry for first-time home buyers.
Modest inventory of multi-family rental housing within city limits, resulting in higher average monthly rent prices.
High property tax burdens associated with owning premium real estate in Johnson County.
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
Prairie Village
#242Kansas, USA
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
125
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
56.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.14%
Unemployment
2.90%
Livability
85
Business
72
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