Performance
Score Breakdown
Al Ain
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Al Ain is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
26% lower compared to Elyria.
Housing costs are a major driver: Al Ain's average rent is
23% lower than Elyria's.
| Metric | Al Ain | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $708 | $917 | -23% |
| Groceries | $226 | $450 | -50% |
| Utilities | $416 | $249 | +67% |
| Transport | $25 | $120 | -79% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $125 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,375 | $1,861 | -26% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 96% 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 Al Ain is estimated at
$20,000 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Al Ain | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $2,968 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $20,000 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 3,124 idx | 82,979 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Al Ain | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 60.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Al Ain has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Elyria.
Elyria scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Elyria leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Al Ain | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 21.70 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Al Ain is the larger city
— approximately 12.6x the population of Elyria.
From a growth perspective, Al Ain is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Al Ain has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Al Ain | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 677,000 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.40% | % |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.17% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $— | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Al Ain
Advantages
Al Ain is significantly more affordable than Dubai or Abu Dhabi, with lower rental costs.
The city boasts a very high safety index of 96, indicating a secure living environment.
Al Ain is one of the least congested cities globally, resulting in minimal time lost to traffic.
The healthcare system is robust, with 18 hospitals and a high healthcare quality score of 82.
The city offers a high quality of life with abundant green spaces and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options are less developed compared to major cities, leading to high car dependency.
Summers are extremely hot, with daily high temperatures around 109°F (43°C), which can limit outdoor activities.
While more affordable than other UAE cities, Al Ain is not cheap by global standards.
The humidity can be high during summer months, adding to the discomfort.
Limited information on specific job growth rates and entrepreneurial climate scores for 2026 makes it difficult to assess economic dynamism fully.
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.
Al Ain
#11Abu Dhabi, UAE
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$708
Avg Salary
$2,968
Cost Index
95
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.40%
Unemployment
2.17%
Livability
74
Business
68
Elyria
#14Ohio, 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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