Performance
Score Breakdown
Altenburg
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Altenburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
2% lower compared to Elyria.
Housing costs are a major driver: Altenburg's average rent is
15% higher than Elyria's.
| Metric | Altenburg | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $917 | +15% |
| Groceries | $565 | $450 | +26% |
| Utilities | $126 | $249 | -49% |
| Transport | $82 | $120 | -32% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $125 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,823 | $1,861 | -2% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 40% 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 Altenburg is estimated at
$24,534 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Altenburg | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $47,124 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $24,534 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,360 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $45,845 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Altenburg | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 69.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Altenburg has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
11,500 minutes (192 hours) per year compared to Elyria.
Altenburg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Altenburg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Altenburg | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 75.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 77.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Elyria is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Altenburg.
From a growth perspective, Altenburg 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 | Altenburg | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,580 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.58% | % |
| Median Age | 39.4 | |
| Unemployment | 6.20% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Altenburg
Advantages
Altenburg boasts a very high quality-of-life score of 84/100, with strengths in healthcare, green space, cleanliness, and infrastructure.
The city is highly safe, ranking in the upper tier with a safety index of 83/100, characterized by strong personal safety and low night-time crime.
Altenburg is considered very family-friendly, supported by good education access, safety, parks, and healthcare.
The cost of living is manageable, with a single resident spending approximately $1,574 per month excluding rent, which is around the average for Germany.
The city offers excellent walkability (77/100) and cycling (83/100) scores, along with a functional public transport network.
Drawbacks
Altenburg has a smaller social bubble and a more limited international scene compared to major metropolitan hubs.
Local integration for non-German speakers may be more demanding due to a lower density of English speakers.
The city experienced a significant population decline of nearly 40% since 1988, indicating historical economic challenges.
Specific job growth rates and new business growth rates for Altenburg are not readily available, making economic growth assessment challenging.
The median age is not precisely available, but the age distribution suggests a notable proportion of older residents, which could impact future workforce dynamics.
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.
Altenburg
#1Thuringia, Germany
76.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,050
Avg Salary
$47,124
Cost Index
90
Commute
min
Transit Score
75.0/10
Walkability
77.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.58%
Unemployment
6.20%
Livability
84
Business
72
Elyria
#16Ohio, 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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