Performance
Score Breakdown
Anaheim
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elyria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
105% higher compared to Anaheim.
Housing costs are a major driver: Anaheim's average rent is
171% higher than Elyria's.
| Metric | Anaheim | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,487 | $917 | +171% |
| Groceries | $411 | $450 | -9% |
| Utilities | $262 | $249 | +5% |
| Transport | $514 | $120 | +328% |
| Healthcare | $139 | $125 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $3,813 | $1,861 | +105% |
| Cost Index | 149 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 50% 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 Anaheim is estimated at
$59,000 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Anaheim | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $39,182 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $59,000 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 26,297 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $95,227 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Anaheim | 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
Elyria has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Anaheim.
Anaheim scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Anaheim leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Anaheim | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 50.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 67.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anaheim is the larger city
— approximately 6.5x the population of Elyria.
From a growth perspective, Anaheim is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Anaheim | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 346,597 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.31% | % |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $22.8B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Anaheim
Advantages
Anaheim boasts a diverse job market with strong opportunities in tourism, healthcare, and manufacturing.
The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with over 280 sunny days annually, ideal for outdoor activities.
Home to world-renowned entertainment like Disneyland Resort, offering abundant recreational and cultural attractions.
Healthcare costs are approximately 7% lower than the national average.
The unemployment rate in Anaheim was 3.2% in March 2026, below state and county averages.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Anaheim is significantly high, approximately 48.7% above the national average.
Housing costs are particularly expensive, being around 175.1% higher than the U.S. average.
Anaheim has a higher violent crime rate (596.2 per 100,000 residents) compared to the national average.
Traffic congestion is a notable issue, especially on major freeways and around popular attractions.
Public transportation options are limited, leading to high car dependency for most residents.
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.
Anaheim
#65California, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,487
Avg Salary
$39,182
Cost Index
149
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.31%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
72
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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