City Comparison
Bakersfield vs Elyria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Elyria scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bakersfield
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elyria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
31% lower than in Bakersfield.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bakersfield's average rent is
94% higher than Elyria's.
| Metric | Bakersfield | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,775 | $917 | +94% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $249 | -28% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $125 | +76% |
| Monthly Total | $2,695 | $1,861 | +45% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 17% 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 Bakersfield is estimated at
$55,000 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Bakersfield | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,600 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,000 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $80,540 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bakersfield runs warmer on average — a 68.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bakersfield comes out ahead with 328 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bakersfield sees 4.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bakersfield | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 68.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 101.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 41.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 19.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 4.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 328 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Bakersfield scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bakersfield leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bakersfield | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 37.0/100 | 13.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bakersfield is the larger city
— approximately 7.9x the population of Elyria.
From a growth perspective, Bakersfield 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 | Bakersfield | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 422,165 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.84% | — |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 8.40% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bakersfield
Advantages
Median home prices in Bakersfield are substantially lower than the California state average, making homeownership accessible.
The city's average commute time of 23.6 minutes is faster and less stressful than major coastal California metro areas.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities are nearby, including the Kern River and Sequoia National Forest.
A rich cultural tapestry featuring vibrant community festivals, historic venues like the Fox Theater, and diverse culinary traditions.
Presence of higher education anchors like California State University, Bakersfield and Bakersfield College driving local workforce talent.
Drawbacks
Summer high temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, leading to heavy reliance on air conditioning and high seasonal utility bills.
Regional air quality in the San Joaquin Valley can experience high particulate pollution during specific weather inversions.
The local unemployment rate trends higher than the national baseline due to seasonal shifts in agriculture and energy sectors.
Property crime rates in certain sections of the city remain higher than the national average.
High car dependency limits public transit utility, requiring personal vehicle ownership for practical daily mobility.
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.
Bakersfield
#457California, USA
55.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,775
Avg Salary
$64,600
Cost Index
95
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
37.0/100
Sunny Days
328/yr
Avg Temp
68.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.84%
Unemployment
8.40%
Livability
74
Business
68
Elyria
#397Ohio, USA
58.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$917
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
94
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
13.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
75
Business
50
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