Performance
Score Breakdown
Elyria
Homewood
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elyria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
34% lower compared to Homewood.
Housing costs are a major driver: Elyria's average rent is
35% lower than Homewood's.
| Metric | Elyria | Homewood | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $917 | $1,400 | -35% |
| Groceries | $450 | $440 | +2% |
| Utilities | $249 | $275 | -9% |
| Transport | $120 | $80 | +50% |
| Healthcare | $125 | $625 | -80% |
| Monthly Total | $1,861 | $2,820 | -34% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 19% higher 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 Elyria is estimated at
$30,516 vs $55,000 in Homewood.
| Metric | Elyria | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $65,695 |
| Salary Needed | $30,516 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 82,979 idx | 71,408 idx |
| Household Income | $54,945 | $94,485 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Elyria | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Homewood has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Elyria.
For walkability, Homewood leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Elyria | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 13.0/10 | 65.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 70.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Elyria is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Homewood.
From a growth perspective, Homewood is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Homewood has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Elyria | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 53,634 | 28,830 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.80% |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 2.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Homewood
Advantages
Homewood offers a high quality of life with a strong community feel and excellent local amenities.
The city boasts a low unemployment rate of 2.1% as of April 2026, indicating a robust job market.
Homewood provides convenient access to major employment centers and top-tier healthcare facilities in downtown Birmingham.
The overall cost of living is lower than the national average, despite higher housing costs compared to the broader metro area.
Homewood is noted for its walkability, allowing residents to access many local amenities on foot.
Drawbacks
Housing costs in Homewood are significantly higher than in other parts of the Birmingham metropolitan area.
The city exhibits high car dependency, with 82% of residents using personal vehicles for commuting.
Public transportation options are limited, with only 1% of residents relying on public transit.
Major traffic congestion can be an issue on key routes like US-280, impacting commute times.
The median household income saw a 12.8% decline in 2024, despite a high average household income.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Elyria
#13Ohio, USA
75.0 / 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
Homewood
#5Alabama, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,400
Avg Salary
$65,695
Cost Index
92
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
65.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
2.10%
Livability
82
Business
75
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