City Comparison
Chaparral vs Elyria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Chaparral scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Chaparral
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Chaparral is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Elyria.
| Metric | Chaparral | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $900 | $917 | -2% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $249 | -30% |
| Transport | $140 | $120 | +17% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $125 | +76% |
| Monthly Total | $1,815 | $1,861 | -2% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 44% 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 Chaparral is estimated at
$42,000 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Chaparral | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,381 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $46,017 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Chaparral runs warmer on average — a 65.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Chaparral comes out ahead with 331 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Chaparral sees 2.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Chaparral | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 93.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 8.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 2.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 331 | |
| Humidity | 35.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Elyria has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Chaparral.
For walkability, Chaparral leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Chaparral | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 13.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Elyria is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Chaparral.
From a growth perspective, Chaparral 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 | Chaparral | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,186 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.91% | — |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Chaparral
Advantages
Home values are significantly lower than the U.S. average, with typical properties valued around $228,000 per Zillow data.
Enjoy an abundance of sunshine with approximately 331 sunny days per year under an appealing desert climate.
Strategic location in the Borderplex region offers close proximity to El Paso employment and military bases.
A remarkably young and vibrant community with a median age of 31.6 years per U.S. Census data.
Cost of living and everyday goods are notably cheaper than national benchmarks.
Drawbacks
High car dependency and low walkability scores require long commutes for most employment and shopping needs.
Poverty rates remain elevated, with U.S. Census data recording approximately 27.4% of persons below the poverty line.
Limited local higher education attainment, with only around 10.5% holding a bachelor's degree or higher.
Scarcity of large-scale commercial entertainment, dining, and major healthcare facilities within immediate town limits.
Household median incomes remain well below national medians at roughly $46,017.
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.
Chaparral
#375New Mexico, USA
59.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$900
Avg Salary
$44,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
331/yr
Avg Temp
65.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.91%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
68
Business
60
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Chaparral and Elyria.
Open Cost Calculator