City Comparison
Bethlehem vs Elyria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bethlehem scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bethlehem
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 Bethlehem.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bethlehem's average rent is
96% higher than Elyria's.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $917 | +96% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $227 | $249 | -9% |
| Transport | $60 | $120 | -50% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $125 | +100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,787 | $1,861 | +50% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 37% 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 Bethlehem is estimated at
$55,000 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $49,276 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,869 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $68,879 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bethlehem runs warmer on average — a 53.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bethlehem comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bethlehem sees 18.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 39.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Elyria scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Elyria leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bethlehem is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Elyria.
From a growth perspective, Bethlehem is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Elyria has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,563 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.15% | % |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bethlehem
Advantages
Bethlehem's population is projected to grow by 1.15% annually in 2026, indicating a growing and dynamic community.
The median household income in Bethlehem was $68,879 in 2024, showing a 3.67% one-year growth.
The average rent in Bethlehem is 5% below the national average as of September 2026, making it a more affordable place to live.
The median property value in Bethlehem increased by 10.1% in 2024, suggesting a healthy real estate market for homeowners.
The cost of home care in Bethlehem is approximately 16% lower than the Pennsylvania average and 22% lower than the national average as of September 2026.
Drawbacks
The poverty rate in Bethlehem was 15.69% in 2026.
While rent is generally affordable, it has increased by 3.4% in the past year as of September 2026.
The median individual income in Bethlehem was $36,225 in 2024, which is lower than the median household income.
Home prices fell about 2.4% a year between 2015 and 2024, an unusual pattern compared to rising rents.
The percentage of uninsured citizens in Bethlehem grew by 5.37% between 2023 and 2024.
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.
Bethlehem
#59Pennsylvania, USA
62.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$49,276
Cost Index
95
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
53.20°F
Pop. Growth
1.15%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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