What doesn't affect rate of descent for a parachute?

Answer 1

Parachutes are interesting aircraft. The major retarding force of classical round parachutes is drag. Weight and drag determine their rate-of-descent. But air spills out of them because they oscillate, too. Since the 1960's parachutes have been designed that acheive lift from their forward motion.

Answer 2

The price of coffee at Walmart doesn't affect the descent of a parachute. Maybe better to ask what does affect the speed of descent. Those would be suspended weight, area of the parachute, design of the parachute, and air density.