City Comparison
Austin vs Elyria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Elyria scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Austin
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elyria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
50% higher compared to Austin.
Housing costs are a major driver: Austin's average rent is
96% higher than Elyria's.
| Metric | Austin | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $917 | +96% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $249 | -28% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $125 | +100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,800 | $1,861 | +50% |
| Cost Index | 101 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 16% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Elyria delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Austin is estimated at
$122,000 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Austin | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,250 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $122,000 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,604 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $93,658 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Austin | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Elyria has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Austin.
Austin scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Austin leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Austin | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 42.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 75.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Austin is the larger city
— approximately 18.9x the population of Elyria.
From a growth perspective, Austin is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Austin has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Austin | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,011,743 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.91% | % |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Austin
Advantages
Austin boasts a robust job market with a 2.1% job growth rate in 2024, outperforming many other major U.S. metros.
The city has a thriving startup ecosystem, ranking #1 for startup growth and business density, with over 7,000 new businesses in 2024.
Austin offers a high quality of life, ranking 15th globally in 2024, supported by its vibrant culture and numerous outdoor activities.
Crime rates in Austin saw significant decreases in the first quarter of 2024, contributing to an improved safety profile.
Several Austin healthcare facilities, including St. David's HealthCare, were recognized among the nation's 100 Top Hospitals in 2024.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Austin is higher than the national average, primarily driven by elevated housing costs for both renters and buyers.
Austin experiences significant traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in transit, indicating high car dependency.
Despite overall high healthcare quality, some Austin-area hospitals received 'C' ratings for safety and quality standards in May 2024.
The median sale price of a home in Austin was $542,000 in May 2026, making homeownership challenging for many.
While public transit exists, Austin's city-wide Walk Score of 42 and Transit Score of 35 indicate that most errands require a car.
Elyria
Advantages
The cost of living in Elyria is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Elyria boasts a high livability score and ample local amenities, including restaurants, grocery stores, and parks.
The city's crime rate is lower than the national average, contributing to a generally safe environment.
Housing in Elyria is notably affordable, with a median property value significantly below the national average.
Elyria offers a strong sense of community and a friendly, small-town atmosphere.
Drawbacks
The employment sector in Elyria has received a low grade, indicating challenges in the job market.
Public transportation options are limited, leading to high car dependency for most residents.
Some residents perceive a lack of nightlife and entertainment options for adults, describing the city as 'boring' for that demographic.
The city faces issues with road quality, including bad streets and potholes.
Shopping opportunities have been noted as dissipating from what was once a booming city.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Austin
#161Texas, USA
41.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$65,250
Cost Index
101
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
42.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.91%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
74
Business
85
Elyria
#141Ohio, USA
47.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$917
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
94
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
13.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
75
Business
50
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