City Comparison
Derby vs Wichita
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Derby scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Derby
Wichita
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wichita is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Derby.
Housing costs are a major driver: Derby's average rent is
32% higher than Wichita's.
| Metric | Derby | Wichita | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $950 | +32% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $170 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $110 | +5% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,145 | $1,830 | +17% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 88 | 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 $48,000 in Wichita.
| Metric | Derby | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,913 idx | 65,909 idx |
| Household Income | $82,500 | $65,200 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Derby sees 1.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Derby | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.60°F | 58.40°F |
| Summer High | 86.80°F | 87.20°F |
| Winter Low | 23.50°F | 23.60°F |
| Rainfall | 36.70 in | 35.90 in |
| Snowfall | 9.50 in | 7.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 273 | 280 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Wichita has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Derby.
| Metric | Derby | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 32.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Wichita 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, Wichita has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Derby | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,625 | 397,532 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 35.2 |
| 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.
Wichita
Advantages
Median home prices in Wichita are significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership highly accessible per Zillow data.
Average daily commute times are notably shorter than the U.S. average, reducing daily transit stress per Census Bureau reports.
The city offers a robust and growing arts and culinary scene, particularly in the historic Old Town and Delano districts.
Wichita serves as a major regional healthcare hub with world-class hospital systems like Ascension Via Christi and Wesley Medical Center.
Abundant green spaces, including the Arkansas River multi-use paths and Botanica Gardens, provide strong outdoor recreation options.
Drawbacks
The local economy experiences cyclical fluctuations due to its heavy reliance on the aerospace manufacturing sector.
Public transportation options are limited, resulting in a high degree of car dependency for daily commuting and errands.
Summer temperatures can be quite high and breezy, while winters occasionally bring unpredictable severe weather and ice storms.
Certain urban core neighborhoods experience higher property crime rates relative to suburban developments.
Voter-approved public transit and infrastructure funding have historically lagged behind growing metropolitan expansion needs.
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
Wichita
#290Kansas, USA
61.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
280/yr
Avg Temp
58.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
75
Business
70
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