Performance
Score Breakdown
Toronto
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elyria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
28% higher compared to Toronto.
Housing costs are a major driver: Toronto's average rent is
84% higher than Elyria's.
| Metric | Toronto | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,686 | $917 | +84% |
| Groceries | $353 | $450 | -22% |
| Utilities | $155 | $249 | -38% |
| Transport | $92 | $120 | -23% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $125 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,386 | $1,861 | +28% |
| Cost Index | 71 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 32% 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 Toronto is estimated at
$55,013 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Toronto | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,898 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,013 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 74,504 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $59,245 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Toronto | 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
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Toronto.
Toronto scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Toronto leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Toronto | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 78.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 71.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 180.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toronto is the larger city
— approximately 56.4x the population of Elyria.
From a growth perspective, Toronto 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 | Toronto | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,025,647 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.90% | % |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 8.90% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Toronto
Advantages
Toronto was the fastest-growing metropolitan area in Canada and the U.S. for the second consecutive year, with its population surging by 3.9% between July 2023 and July 2024.
The city is a major business hub with a strong job market, particularly in high-demand fields like technology (fintech, AI) and healthcare.
Toronto boasts a highly diverse and multicultural population, with over half of its residents born outside of Canada, contributing to a rich cultural landscape.
The public transit system (TTC) is comprehensive, offering extensive subway, streetcar, and bus networks for easy navigation without a car.
Toronto offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, diverse culinary options, and numerous parks and green spaces for a high quality of life.
Drawbacks
Toronto has a high cost of living, with average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center around $1,479 USD per month as of July 2026.
The unemployment rate in Toronto was elevated at 8.9% in September 2025, higher than both provincial and national averages.
The housing market faces significant affordability challenges, with average home prices reaching $1.05 million CAD in July 2024.
Rapid population growth has strained transportation infrastructure, leading to traffic congestion and longer commute times, averaging 32 minutes.
Despite job growth, the influx of workers has outpaced job absorption in some sectors, contributing to the higher unemployment rate.
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.
Toronto
#13Ontario, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,686
Avg Salary
$52,898
Cost Index
71
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
78.0/10
Walkability
71.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
3.90%
Unemployment
8.90%
Livability
74
Business
70
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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