City Comparison
Fort Collins vs Elyria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fort Collins scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fort Collins
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elyria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
104% higher compared to Fort Collins.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fort Collins's average rent is
78% higher than Elyria's.
| Metric | Fort Collins | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,632 | $917 | +78% |
| Groceries | $402 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $249 | -28% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $1,460 | $125 | +1068% |
| Monthly Total | $3,794 | $1,861 | +104% |
| Cost Index | 100 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 23% 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 Fort Collins is estimated at
$65,280 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Fort Collins | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $59,672 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,280 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,672 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $85,070 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fort Collins runs warmer on average — a 51.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fort Collins comes out ahead with 291 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fort Collins sees 19.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fort Collins | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 17.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 291 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fort Collins has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Elyria.
Fort Collins scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Fort Collins leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fort Collins | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 37.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 37.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fort Collins is the larger city
— approximately 3.2x the population of Elyria.
From a growth perspective, Fort Collins 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 | Fort Collins | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,693 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.11% | % |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.70% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fort Collins
Advantages
Fort Collins has a lower violent crime rate than the national average.
The city's total crime rate decreased by 18.8% from 2008 to 2022.
Fort Collins has a high percentage of residents with a Bachelor's degree or higher (60.7%).
The average commute time is relatively low at 19.5 minutes.
Fort Collins is very bikeable and has several highly walkable neighborhoods.
Drawbacks
The median sales price for single-family homes increased by 1.7% in December 2024.
The cost of purchasing a home in Fort Collins has nearly doubled in the past 8 years.
Fair Market Rent prices in Fort Collins are very high compared to the national average.
The average cost of assisted living in Fort Collins is higher than both the state and national averages.
The Fort Collins, CO area's rent-to-income ratio is higher than the average for mid-sized metros, indicating less affordability.
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.
Fort Collins
#53Colorado, USA
62.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,632
Avg Salary
$59,672
Cost Index
100
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
37.0/10
Walkability
37.0/10
Sunny Days
291/yr
Avg Temp
51.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.11%
Unemployment
3.70%
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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