City Comparison
Derby vs Salina
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Derby scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Derby
Salina
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Salina is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Derby.
Housing costs are a major driver: Derby's average rent is
36% higher than Salina's.
| Metric | Derby | Salina | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $920 | +36% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,145 | $1,870 | +15% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Derby offers 3% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Salina delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Derby is estimated at
$52,000 vs $36,792 in Salina.
| Metric | Derby | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $65,745 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $36,792 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,913 idx | 80,177 idx |
| Household Income | $82,500 | $61,783 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Salina sees 6.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Derby | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.60°F | 57.30°F |
| Summer High | 86.80°F | 88.10°F |
| Winter Low | 23.50°F | 20.50°F |
| Rainfall | 36.70 in | 26.10 in |
| Snowfall | 9.50 in | 16.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 273 | 280 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Salina has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Derby.
For walkability, Derby leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Derby | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 39.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Salina is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Derby.
From a growth perspective, Derby is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Derby has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Derby | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,625 | 46,307 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 39.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 3.90% |
| 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.
Salina
Advantages
Affordable cost of living, with housing costs significantly below the national average.
Diverse and robust economy with key industries in manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture.
Shorter than average commute times, with an average of 14.8 minutes.
Strong sense of community and family-friendly atmosphere.
Regional healthcare and educational hub for North Central Kansas.
Drawbacks
Car-dependent with limited public transportation and low walkability scores.
Crime rates, particularly violent crime, are higher than the national average.
Limited entertainment and dining options compared to larger cities.
Population has shown a declining trend in recent years.
Property crime rate remains above the Kansas average.
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
Salina
#129Kansas, USA
66.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$920
Avg Salary
$65,745
Cost Index
82
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
39.0/100
Sunny Days
280/yr
Avg Temp
57.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
74
Business
68
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