City Comparison
Centurion vs Elyria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Centurion scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Centurion
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Centurion is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
36% lower than in Elyria.
Housing costs are a major driver: Centurion's average rent is
40% lower than Elyria's.
| Metric | Centurion | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $550 | $917 | -40% |
| Groceries | $280 | $450 | -38% |
| Utilities | $130 | $249 | -48% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $125 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $1,190 | $1,861 | -36% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 79% 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 Centurion is estimated at
$13,000 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Centurion | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $16,500 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $13,000 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 39,286 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $22,000 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Centurion runs warmer on average — a 63.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Centurion comes out ahead with 235 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Centurion sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Centurion | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 66.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 61.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 235 | |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Elyria has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Centurion.
Centurion scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Centurion leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Centurion | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 34 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 46.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 13.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 62.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Centurion is the larger city
— approximately 6.8x the population of Elyria.
From a growth perspective, Centurion 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 | Centurion | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 365,000 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.90% | — |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 26.80% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Centurion
Advantages
Strategically positioned between Pretoria and Johannesburg with excellent highway and Gautrain rapid rail access.
Home to world-class private medical facilities including Netcare Unitas and Mediclinic Centurion.
Abundant secure lifestyle estates offering high-level security and family-friendly amenities.
Thriving tech and corporate employment hub with extensive fiber-optic internet infrastructure.
Favorable climate with over 230 sunny days per year supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Drawbacks
High level of car dependency leading to significant peak-hour traffic congestion on major arterial routes.
Crime rates in traditional open suburbs require reliance on private security and armed response services.
National economic pressures and high structural unemployment impact broader regional economic mobility.
Load shedding and municipal electricity grid instability necessitate private backup power solutions like generators or solar.
Public mass transit options are limited outside of the Gautrain rapid rail network.
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.
Centurion
#4Gauteng, South Africa
68.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$550
Avg Salary
$16,500
Cost Index
42
Commute
34 min
Transit Score
46.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
235/yr
Avg Temp
63.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.90%
Unemployment
26.80%
Livability
73
Business
68
Elyria
#397Ohio, USA
58.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$917
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
94
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
13.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
75
Business
50
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