City Comparison
Hutchinson vs Manhattan
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Manhattan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hutchinson
Manhattan
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hutchinson is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Manhattan.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hutchinson's average rent is
23% lower than Manhattan's.
| Metric | Hutchinson | Manhattan | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,100 | -23% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $310 | $110 | +182% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,945 | $2,020 | -4% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Manhattan offers 12% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Hutchinson delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hutchinson is estimated at
$42,000 vs $50,000 in Manhattan.
| Metric | Hutchinson | Manhattan |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,195 idx | 61,053 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $62,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Manhattan sees 2.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hutchinson | Manhattan |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.50°F | 56.90°F |
| Summer High | 86.50°F | 86.40°F |
| Winter Low | 22.10°F | 20.70°F |
| Rainfall | 33.50 in | 32.30 in |
| Snowfall | 13.30 in | 15.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 279 | 286 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Manhattan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hutchinson leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hutchinson | Manhattan |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Manhattan is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Hutchinson.
From a growth perspective, Manhattan 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 | Hutchinson | Manhattan |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,000 | 54,100 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 26.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hutchinson
Advantages
Median home prices in Hutchinson are significantly lower than the national average per U.S. Census data.
Average commute times under 17 minutes provide superior daily quality of life.
Home to world-class educational and cultural assets including the Cosmosphere and Strataca.
Abundant outdoor recreational spaces, including the expansive Carey Park and local trail systems.
Strong local healthcare infrastructure anchored by the Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation options necessitate high car dependency for daily errands.
Hot summer temperatures and cold winter winds require higher seasonal utility management.
Slower job growth rates in certain traditional sectors compared to major Kansas metropolitan hubs.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options for young adults seeking a fast-paced urban scene.
Vulnerability to severe weather typical of central Kansas, including occasional high winds and storms.
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.
Hutchinson
#189Kansas, USA
64.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$51,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
279/yr
Avg Temp
57.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
73
Business
65
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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