Performance
Score Breakdown
Rafha
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rafha is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
43% lower compared to Elyria.
Housing costs are a major driver: Rafha's average rent is
51% lower than Elyria's.
| Metric | Rafha | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $452 | $917 | -51% |
| Groceries | $319 | $450 | -29% |
| Utilities | $133 | $249 | -47% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $125 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,054 | $1,861 | -43% |
| Cost Index | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Rafha | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $30,516 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Rafha | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Rafha has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Elyria.
For walkability, Rafha leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Rafha | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 35.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rafha is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Elyria.
From a growth perspective, Rafha is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Rafha has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Rafha | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,175 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.62% | % |
| Median Age | 24.3 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.04% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $— | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Rafha
Advantages
Rafha boasts a significantly lower cost of living, particularly for rent, compared to major Saudi Arabian cities and international averages.
The city is considered calm and safe, contributing to a high sense of security for residents.
The presence of Northern Borders University branches has transformed Rafha into a local educational hub, fostering intellectual and economic growth.
Ongoing government initiatives and projects, including those under Saudi Vision 2030, support local industries like agriculture and tourism, indicating future growth potential.
Healthcare access is robust, with a central hospital offering comprehensive services and ongoing expansion projects to enhance capacity.
Drawbacks
Public transportation within the city is not widely developed, leading to high car dependency.
The city experiences a hot desert climate, which can be challenging for outdoor activities and comfort.
Limited specific data is publicly available for certain economic metrics like median household income and average salaries for Rafha city.
Walkability is low, and long distances are not recommended for walking, especially in the heat.
The remote location and less developed urban infrastructure might limit entertainment and diverse lifestyle options compared to larger metropolitan areas.
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.
Rafha
#1Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah, Saudi Arabia
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$452
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
35.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.62%
Unemployment
3.04%
Livability
62
Business
60
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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