Performance
Score Breakdown
Elyria
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elyria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
23% lower compared to Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Elyria's average rent is
35% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Elyria | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $917 | $1,400 | -35% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $249 | $236 | +6% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $125 | $250 | -50% |
| Monthly Total | $1,861 | $2,406 | -23% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 18% higher 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 Elyria is estimated at
$30,516 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Elyria | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $30,516 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 82,979 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $54,945 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Elyria | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Aiken scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Aiken leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Elyria | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 13.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Elyria is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Aiken is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Elyria | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 53,634 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Aiken
Advantages
The cost of living in Aiken is approximately 11% lower than the national average.
Aiken boasts a higher homeownership rate of 68.1% as of 2024.
The city offers a mild climate with ample opportunities for outdoor activities and a vibrant downtown.
Aiken County's unemployment rate of 3.4% in April 2026 is lower than the national average.
The average commute time of 24 minutes is considered manageable.
Drawbacks
Aiken's transportation system is largely car-dependent, with limited public transit options.
The city's safety index of 30 suggests a higher crime rate compared to national benchmarks.
Aiken County's poverty rate of 14.3% is higher than the national average of 12.5%.
While the downtown is walkable, the city overall has a lower walkability score due to car dependency.
Some utility costs are reported to be slightly higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Aiken
#50South Carolina, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,400
Avg Salary
$65,884
Cost Index
89
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
72
Business
65
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Elyria and Aiken.
Open Cost Calculator