City Comparison
Saarbrücken vs Elyria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Elyria scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Saarbrücken
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Saarbrücken is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
32% lower than in Elyria.
Housing costs are a major driver: Saarbrücken's average rent is
31% lower than Elyria's.
| Metric | Saarbrücken | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $634 | $917 | -31% |
| Groceries | $320 | $450 | -29% |
| Utilities | $200 | $249 | -20% |
| Transport | $70 | $120 | -42% |
| Healthcare | $50 | $125 | -60% |
| Monthly Total | $1,274 | $1,861 | -32% |
| Cost Index | 60 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 26% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Saarbrücken delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Saarbrücken is estimated at
$45,000 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Saarbrücken | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 96,667 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $45,000 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Saarbrücken runs warmer on average — a 52.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Saarbrücken comes out ahead with 241 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Saarbrücken sees 7.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Saarbrücken | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 77.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 33.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 33.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 7.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 241 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Saarbrücken scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Saarbrücken leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Saarbrücken | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 70.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 80.0/100 | 13.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Saarbrücken is the larger city
— approximately 3.4x the population of Elyria.
From a growth perspective, Saarbrücken 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 | Saarbrücken | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,000 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.54% | — |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 7.80% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Saarbrücken
Advantages
Saarbrücken offers significantly lower rent and daily expenses compared to major German cities.
The city is a strong research and tech hub, home to renowned institutes in computer science and AI.
Its cross-border location provides easy access to French and Luxembourgish cultures and opportunities.
Saarbrücken boasts excellent public transport, including the Saarbahn light rail connecting to France.
The city offers a high quality of life with abundant green spaces, cultural attractions, and a vibrant culinary scene.
Drawbacks
The unemployment rate in Saarbrücken is estimated to be higher than the national average. [cite: 24, 28, 35 from previous search]
Some areas within the city are noted for higher poverty rates.
Public transport outside the city center and in surrounding villages can be less efficient, often requiring a car.
The population in rural areas of Saarland tends to be older.
Specific job growth and new business growth rates for the city are not readily available, indicating potential data gaps for economic momentum.
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.
Saarbrücken
#78Saarland, Germany
57.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$634
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
60
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
70.0/100
Walkability
80.0/100
Sunny Days
241/yr
Avg Temp
52.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.54%
Unemployment
7.80%
Livability
80
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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