Performance
Score Breakdown
Surrey
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elyria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
13% higher compared to Surrey.
Housing costs are a major driver: Surrey's average rent is
59% higher than Elyria's.
| Metric | Surrey | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,462 | $917 | +59% |
| Groceries | $287 | $450 | -36% |
| Utilities | $122 | $249 | -51% |
| Transport | $80 | $120 | -33% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $125 | +20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,101 | $1,861 | +13% |
| Cost Index | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 56% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Surrey is estimated at
$45,000 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Surrey | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $34,490 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $30,516 |
| Household Income | $62,353 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Surrey | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Elyria has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Surrey.
Surrey scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Surrey leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Surrey | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 37 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 47.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 46.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 163.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Surrey is the larger city
— approximately 13.4x the population of Elyria.
From a growth perspective, Surrey 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 | Surrey | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 721,000 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.50% | % |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Surrey
Advantages
Surrey is one of Canada's fastest-growing cities, with a rapidly increasing population and strong economic indicators. [cite: 15, 43, previous search]
The city boasts a robust and diverse economy, with a company growth rate of 2.2% as of October 2025. [cite: 2, previous search]
Surrey's unemployment rate is low at 5.1% (October 2025), indicating a healthy job market. [cite: 2, previous search]
Crime rates in Surrey are 12% lower than the British Columbia average, contributing to a sense of safety. [cite: 31, previous search]
The city offers a more affordable cost of living compared to Vancouver, particularly in housing. [cite: 24, 29, previous search]
Drawbacks
Despite being more affordable than Vancouver, housing costs in Surrey remain a significant expense, with a median home price of $845,000 CAD in April 2026.
The average commute time is approximately 37 minutes, and traffic congestion can be high.
Surrey is considered a car-dependent city, with a Walk Score of 46 and a Transit Score of 47. [cite: 6, 14, previous search]
While public transit is available, the options are somewhat limited compared to more densely populated urban centers. [cite: 14, previous search]
Home care costs can be substantial, averaging around $3,440 USD per month for moderate care.
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.
Surrey
#13British Columbia, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,462
Avg Salary
$34,490
Cost Index
Commute
37 min
Transit Score
47.0/10
Walkability
46.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
74
Business
75
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
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