City Comparison
Houston vs Elyria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Houston scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Houston
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elyria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
73% higher compared to Houston.
Housing costs are a major driver: Houston's average rent is
96% higher than Elyria's.
| Metric | Houston | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $917 | +96% |
| Groceries | $682 | $450 | +52% |
| Utilities | $253 | $249 | +2% |
| Transport | $348 | $120 | +190% |
| Healthcare | $141 | $125 | +13% |
| Monthly Total | $3,224 | $1,861 | +73% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 4% 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 Houston is estimated at
$69,000 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Houston | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $75,200 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $69,000 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 80,860 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $97,458 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Houston | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Elyria has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Houston.
Houston scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Houston leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Houston | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 36.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 49.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 180.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Houston is the larger city
— approximately 43.2x the population of Elyria.
From a growth perspective, Houston 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 | Houston | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,319,119 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.60% | % |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Houston
Advantages
The cost of living in Houston is 6% lower than the national average, making it a budget-friendly major city.
Houston's job market is projected to add 75,000 new jobs in 2025, with strong growth in healthcare, energy, and professional services.
Violent crime rates in Houston saw significant declines between 2024 and 2025, with homicides dropping by 17%.
The city is a major hub for healthcare, home to the Texas Medical Center, offering high-quality medical services.
Houston exhibits a strong entrepreneurial climate, with a 92% rise in small business account applications from 2024 to 2025.
Drawbacks
Houston's overall crime rate remains high compared to many other U.S. communities, with a 1 in 17 chance of being a victim of violent or property crime in 2024.
Summers in Houston are characterized by oppressive heat and high humidity, with average daily highs above 89°F from June to September.
The city experiences significant traffic congestion, leading to a high car dependency and an average commute time of 28 minutes.
Houston's walkability and transit scores are relatively low, making it challenging to get around without a car.
While the metro area is growing, population growth within the city of Houston itself slowed significantly in 2025.
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.
Houston
#81Texas, USA
58.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$75,200
Cost Index
93
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
36.0/10
Walkability
49.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.60%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
68
Business
72
Elyria
#142Ohio, 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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