Wichita Suburb Comparison
Andover vs Derby: Which Suburb Is Right for Your Family?
Andover and Derby are both popular choices for families moving to Wichita. They feel very different on the ground. Here is what you need to know before picking one.
Side-by-Side Stats
Key numbers, straight from the data.
| Category | Andover | Derby |
|---|---|---|
| Median Sale Price | $336,000 | $298,000 |
| Price Change Since 2021 | +24% | +30% |
| Niche Schools | A (#1 metro) | B (#11 metro) |
| Eff. Property Tax Rate | ~1.75-1.8% | ~1.62% |
| Typical Tax Bill | $5,394 | $3,976 |
| Median Days on Market | 24 days | 12 days |
| New-Construction Share | 17% | 10% |
| Typical Specials (New Builds) | $188/mo | $264/mo |
| Drive to Downtown | ~21 min | ~20 min |
Median sale price of existing homes, closings Sept 30, 2025 to Sept 29, 2026. Source: SCKMLS data analyzed by Caleb Claussen. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. School grades: Niche 2026 Best School Districts, Oct 2026.
Price change: change in the median sale price of existing homes from 2021 to 2026 (2026 is year to date through Oct 9, 2026). Source: SCKMLS data analyzed by Caleb Claussen.
Effective rate = 2025 certified total mill levy × Kansas's 11.5% residential assessment ratio, before the statewide $75K school exemption. New subdivisions may carry additional special assessments. Specials are the typical monthly amount on homes built since 2023.
Price Change Since 2021
Here's how much the median existing-home price changed in every area since 2021.
See the numbers
| Area | Change since 2021 |
|---|---|
| Haysville | 48% |
| Goddard | 45% |
| Park City | 37% |
| Wichita | 35% |
| Valley Center | 34% |
| Bel Aire | 32% |
| Maize | 30% |
| Derby | 30% |
| Andover | 24% |
Lower-priced areas gained the most in percentage terms over the last five years, all across the Wichita area. A smaller number usually means higher prices, not lower demand.
Price change: change in the median sale price of existing homes from 2021 to 2026 (2026 is year to date through Oct 9, 2026). Source: SCKMLS data analyzed by Caleb Claussen.
Drive Times to Major Employers
If you already know where you'll be working, this is the fastest way to compare Andover and Derby.
| Drive to | Andover | Derby |
|---|---|---|
| Boeing Wichita (former Spirit AeroSystems) | 21 | 10 |
| Textron Aviation, East Campus (HQ) | 11 | 19 |
| Textron Aviation, West Campus (Eisenhower Airport) | 30 | 29 |
| McConnell Air Force Base | 21 | 19 |
| Koch Industries HQ | 17 | 25 |
| Wesley Medical Center | 19 | 19 |
| Ascension Via Christi St. Francis | 23 | 21 |
| Wichita State University | 19 | 21 |
| Downtown Wichita | 21 | 20 |
Minutes, without traffic, measured from each city center. The shorter drive is in bold. Drive time without traffic, from OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM). Rush hour can add a few minutes. Times as of Oct 2026.
Andover: What You Are Getting
Andover has the best school district in the Wichita metro. USD 385 ranks #3 in Kansas, and it has held that ranking consistently. If schools are your top priority, this is the suburb that delivers.
The community is growing. New subdivisions, new businesses, and new families are coming in every year. That growth keeps demand for homes strong, which matters for resale down the road. Andover is on the northeast side of Wichita, about 21 minutes from downtown without traffic.
The trade-off is price. The median sale price in Andover is about $336,000, which is about $40,000 more than Derby. You are paying for the school district and for the newer, faster-growing community feel. Whether that is worth it depends on your budget and your priorities.
Andover also sits in Butler County, not Sedgwick County like Derby. Andover's effective property tax rate runs a bit higher, about 1.75-1.8% vs. Derby's 1.62%. Worth confirming on any specific home.
Derby: What You Are Getting
Derby is the largest suburb in the Wichita metro with about 26,606 people. It has everything a city needs: great parks, a top-tier aquatic center, a strong rec department, and a well-established community that has been here for decades. This is not a starter suburb. It is a real city.
The school district is USD 260, rated B and ranked #11 in the Wichita area. That is solid. It is not at Andover's level, but it is a good district. Families who have been in Derby schools for years are generally happy with them. If a B-rated district is acceptable to you, you get a lot more house for your money.
The median sale price in Derby is about $298,000. That is a real gap of about $40,000 compared to Andover. Over the life of a mortgage, that difference is significant. You can buy more home in Derby, or pay less monthly, or both.
Derby sits on the south side of Wichita. If you or your spouse works in south Wichita or near McConnell Air Force Base, the commute is actually faster than Andover. Boeing's Wichita plant is about 10 minutes from Derby and about 21 minutes from Andover. If you work downtown or on the west side, the two are roughly equal.
Which One Is Right for You?
Choose Andover if:
Schools are the top priority and you want the #3-ranked district in Kansas. Or if you want to be on the northeast side of Wichita where most of the growth is happening.
Choose Derby if:
You want a bigger, more established city with excellent parks and amenities, a solid school district, and a lower price point. A price gap of about $40,000 is real money. Derby gives you more house per dollar.
If you work near McConnell or south Wichita:
Derby makes strong practical sense. The commute is shorter or equal, you save money on the home, and you are still in a well-run community with good amenities.
If the school rating gap matters:
Be honest with yourself about how much. A vs B is a real difference, but both districts produce families who go on to do fine. If maximizing the school ranking is the number one goal, Andover is the answer.
Andover vs Derby: Common Questions
Is Derby cheaper than Andover?
Yes. Over the past year, the median existing-home sale price was about $298,000 in Derby and about $336,000 in Andover, so Derby ran about $40,000 below Andover. I'd still compare the specific homes you like, since the right house matters more than the town average.
Which has better schools, Andover or Derby?
Andover. Andover USD 385 is rated A by Niche and ranked #1 in the Wichita metro, and ranked #3 in Kansas. Derby USD 260 is rated B by Niche and ranked #11 in the Wichita metro. Derby is a solid district, but if the school ranking is your top priority, Andover is the answer.
Which is closer to McConnell Air Force Base?
Derby. McConnell sits just north of Derby. Without traffic, the base is about 19 minutes from Derby and about 21 minutes from Andover. If you work anywhere in south Wichita, Derby is the shorter drive. If you work downtown or on the west side, the two are roughly equal.
Read the Full Suburb Guides
This comparison covers the key numbers. The full guides go deeper on neighborhoods, schools, things to do, and what daily life actually looks like.
Still Not Sure Which One Fits?
I have helped families buy in both suburbs. Tell me what matters most to you and I can give you a straight answer in 20 minutes.
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