Wichita Suburb Comparison
Andover vs Maize: Which Suburb Is Right for Your Family?
Both are strong choices. Both have great schools. But they suit different families. Here is my honest take on each.
Side-by-Side Stats
Key numbers, straight from the data.
| Category | Andover | Maize |
|---|---|---|
| Median Sale Price | $336,000 | $332,000 |
| Price Change Since 2021 | +24% | +30% |
| Niche Schools | A (#1 metro) | A- (#2 metro) |
| Eff. Property Tax Rate | ~1.75-1.8% | ~1.74% |
| Typical Tax Bill | $5,394 | $4,500 |
| Median Days on Market | 24 days | 28 days |
| New-Construction Share | 17% | 39% |
| Typical Specials (New Builds) | $188/mo | $227/mo |
| Drive to Downtown | ~21 min | ~19 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 Maize.
| Drive to | Andover | Maize |
|---|---|---|
| Boeing Wichita (former Spirit AeroSystems) | 21 | 28 |
| Textron Aviation, East Campus (HQ) | 11 | 25 |
| Textron Aviation, West Campus (Eisenhower Airport) | 30 | 21 |
| McConnell Air Force Base | 21 | 33 |
| Koch Industries HQ | 17 | 16 |
| Wesley Medical Center | 19 | 20 |
| Ascension Via Christi St. Francis | 23 | 19 |
| Wichita State University | 19 | 18 |
| Downtown Wichita | 21 | 19 |
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 is the suburb most families mean when they say they want the best schools near Wichita. USD 385 ranks #1 in the Wichita metro and #3 in Kansas. That is not a tagline. It holds up year after year with real data. The schools here are the real deal.
The city has been growing fast. New subdivisions, new retail, and more families arriving every year. If you want to be part of a suburb that still has momentum, Andover fits that. Resale values have held strong because demand keeps coming.
Price is less of a factor than most people expect. The median sale price in Andover is about $336,000, which is only about $5,000 more than Maize. So for most families, the choice really comes down to schools, commute, and which community feels like home.
Andover sits in Butler County. Its effective property tax rate, about 1.75-1.8%, lands close to Maize's 1.74%, so taxes are roughly a wash between the two. It is worth confirming the exact rate on any specific home you look at.
Maize: What You Are Getting
Maize does not get enough credit. USD 266 ranks #2 in the Wichita metro, right behind Andover. That is still excellent. You are not giving up school quality by choosing Maize. With a median sale price of about $332,000, homes here cost close to what they do in Andover, and they feed into one of the best districts in the area.
Maize has the shorter drive into Wichita. K-96 runs straight through and is a controlled-access expressway with no stoplights. Without traffic, downtown is about 19 minutes from Maize and about 21 minutes from Andover. The drive is fast and consistent.
The one honest caveat is size. Maize is a smaller city, about 7,853 people. It has a quieter, more settled feel. There is less new development compared to Andover. For some buyers that is a feature, not a drawback. It depends on what kind of neighborhood energy you want.
Which One Is Right for You?
Choose Andover if:
The #1 school ranking in the metro is your top priority. Or if you want to be in a growing suburb with strong resale and more new development happening around you.
Choose Maize if:
You want one of the area's top school districts, a quick K-96 commute, and a close-knit community that has been quietly strong for years. The school quality difference between A and A- is real but small, and with prices this close, the commute and the community feel may matter more to your family.
If budget is the main driver:
The two are closer than you might think. Over the past year, the median sale price in Maize was only about $5,000 below Andover, so I'd compare the specific homes you like rather than deciding on the town's price alone.
If school ranking is non-negotiable:
Andover. The #3 in Kansas ranking is real, consistent, and matters to a lot of buyers. If that is the priority, choose Andover and do not second-guess it.
Andover vs Maize: Common Questions
Is Maize cheaper than Andover?
Yes. Over the past year, the median existing-home sale price was about $332,000 in Maize and about $336,000 in Andover, so Maize ran about $5,000 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?
Both are excellent. Andover USD 385 is rated A by Niche and ranked #1 in the Wichita metro, and ranked #3 in Kansas. Maize USD 266 is rated A- by Niche and ranked #2 in the Wichita metro. Andover has the edge on rankings, but the difference is small.
Which has more new construction?
Maize. Over the past year, about 39% of home sales in Maize were new construction, compared with about 17% in Andover. New builds in Andover typically carry about $188 a month in specials. New builds in Maize typically carry about $227 a month in specials.
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 your priorities and I can give you a straight answer in 20 minutes.
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