Performance
Score Breakdown
Iloilo City
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 Iloilo City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Iloilo City's average rent is
96% higher than Elyria's.
| Metric | Iloilo City | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $917 | +96% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $249 | -28% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $125 | +100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,800 | $1,861 | +50% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 17% 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 Iloilo City is estimated at
$55,000 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Iloilo City | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $62,000 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Iloilo City | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Elyria has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Iloilo City.
Iloilo City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Iloilo City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Iloilo City | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Iloilo City is the larger city
— approximately 8.8x the population of Elyria.
From a growth perspective, Iloilo City 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 | Iloilo City | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 473,728 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | % |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Iloilo City
Advantages
Iloilo City is recognized as a leader in sustainable mobility, earning the highest distinction at the 2025 Mobility Awards for its transformative efforts in promoting bicycle commuting and pedestrian-friendly environments.
The city boasts a strong and growing economy, with a 7.1% economic growth rate in 2024, making it the fastest-growing economy in Western Visayas.
Iloilo City has a low unemployment rate of 3.8% and a high job placement rate of 92.61%, indicating a robust job market.
The city is known for its cleanliness, safety, and walkability, with well-maintained public spaces like the Iloilo River Esplanade contributing to a high quality of life.
Iloilo City is a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, celebrated for its rich culinary heritage and vibrant food scene.
Drawbacks
While Iloilo City's economy is growing, the economic growth rate slowed to 7.1% in 2024 from 10.4% in 2023, indicating a deceleration that warrants attention.
The agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector in Iloilo City experienced a decline of 9% in 2024, highlighting a need for diversification and support in this area.
Despite economic growth, there is a recognized need for diversification in Iloilo City's economy, as the manufacturing and export sectors remain underrepresented.
Rapid economic growth, if not matched by deliberate planning, can strain infrastructure and potentially inflate living costs, posing a challenge for sustained development.
The city's reliance on the services sector, which accounts for 88.3% of its total output, indicates a potential vulnerability if this sector faces significant downturns.
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.
Iloilo City
#1Visayas, Philippines
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
74
Business
68
Elyria
#16Ohio, 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
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