Wichita Suburb Comparison
Derby vs Haysville: Which One Fits Your Family?
Derby and Haysville both have a lot going for them. Here's an honest look at how they compare on the things that matter most.
Side-by-Side Stats
Key numbers, straight from the data.
| Category | Derby | Haysville |
|---|---|---|
| Median Sale Price | $298,000 | $227,000 |
| Price Change Since 2021 | +30% | +48% |
| Niche Schools | B (#11 metro) | B (#12 metro) |
| Eff. Property Tax Rate | ~1.62% | ~1.64% |
| Typical Tax Bill | $3,976 | $2,577 |
| Median Days on Market | 12 days | 14 days |
| New-Construction Share | 10% | 1% |
| Typical Specials (New Builds) | $264/mo | Not enough data |
| Drive to Downtown | ~20 min | ~17 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 Derby and Haysville.
| Drive to | Derby | Haysville |
|---|---|---|
| Boeing Wichita (former Spirit AeroSystems) | 10 | 14 |
| Textron Aviation, East Campus (HQ) | 19 | 20 |
| Textron Aviation, West Campus (Eisenhower Airport) | 29 | 25 |
| McConnell Air Force Base | 19 | 24 |
| Koch Industries HQ | 25 | 25 |
| Wesley Medical Center | 19 | 19 |
| Ascension Via Christi St. Francis | 21 | 19 |
| Wichita State University | 21 | 22 |
| Downtown Wichita | 20 | 17 |
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.
The Quick Answer
Both are on the south side of Wichita. Derby is the bigger, more established city with more amenities, and Haysville is the most affordable suburb I cover. The median sale price in Haysville runs about $70,000 below Derby's.
Schools
Derby USD 260 is rated B by Niche and ranked #11 in the Wichita metro, and Haysville USD 261 is rated B by Niche and ranked #12 in the Wichita metro. The two districts are close on the rankings, so school quality usually isn't the deciding factor between these two.
Prices and What You Get
The median existing-home sale price is about $298,000 in Derby and about $227,000 in Haysville. Since 2021, prices are up about 30% in Derby and up about 48% in Haysville.
Most Haysville housing was built between 1970 and 2000, so you'll find a lot of house for the money, but plan for older roofs, HVAC, and other updates. Derby has more new construction, with about 10% of recent sales being new builds compared with about 1% in Haysville.
Taxes and Specials
The effective property tax rate is about 1.62% in Derby and about 1.64% in Haysville. On homes that sold over the last year, the typical tax bill was about $3,976 in Derby and about $2,577 in Haysville.
If you're looking at new construction, plan for specials too. New builds in Derby typically carry about $264 a month in specials. Haysville has had too few new builds since 2023 to report typical specials. You can compare every area on my property tax page and read more in my new construction guide.
Commute and Location
Derby is southeast of Wichita along K-15, and it's the closest suburb to McConnell Air Force Base. Haysville is just south of Wichita and close to Boeing's south Wichita campus (the former Spirit AeroSystems plant). Without traffic, downtown is about 20 minutes from Derby and about 17 minutes from Haysville.
Things To Do
In Derby, some of the local favorites are Rock River Rapids Aquatic Center, Field Station: Dinosaurs, High Park, and Madison Avenue Central Park. In Haysville, you've got Haysville Activity Center (HAC), W.W. Hays Historic Park / Haysville Hometown Market, Riggs Park, and Chris Elsen Memorial Skate Park.
Both full guides have the complete lists, including local food and annual events: Derby and Haysville.
The Bottom Line
If budget is the main driver, Haysville is hard to beat, just budget for updates on an older home. If you want more amenities and a bigger-city feel, Derby is worth the extra cost for a lot of families.
Who Each One Fits
Derby fits if:
You want a full-service city with great parks, a big aquatic center, and lots of events, or you work at or near McConnell.
Haysville fits if:
You want the most house for your money in a Wichita suburb, or you work near Boeing's south Wichita campus.
Derby vs Haysville: Common Questions
Is Haysville cheaper than Derby?
Yes. Over the past year, the median existing-home sale price in Haysville ran about $70,000 below Derby's.
Which is closer to McConnell Air Force Base?
Derby is the closest suburb to McConnell, about 19 minutes without traffic. Haysville is about 24 minutes from the base.
Which has better schools, Derby or Haysville?
They're close. Derby USD 260 is rated B by Niche and ranked #11 in the Wichita metro, and Haysville USD 261 is rated B by Niche and ranked #12 in the Wichita metro.
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?
Tell me what matters most to your family and I'll give you a straight answer on which one fits, usually in a 20-minute call.
Schedule a Free Call with Caleb →