City Comparison
Clearwater vs Elyria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Clearwater scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Clearwater
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 Clearwater.
Housing costs are a major driver: Clearwater's average rent is
91% higher than Elyria's.
| Metric | Clearwater | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $917 | +91% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $249 | -30% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $125 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $2,700 | $1,861 | +45% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 19% 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 Clearwater is estimated at
$54,000 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Clearwater | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $54,000 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,765 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $65,400 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Clearwater runs warmer on average — a 73.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Clearwater comes out ahead with 231 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Clearwater sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Clearwater | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 73.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 88.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 54.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 231 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Clearwater scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Clearwater leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Clearwater | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 13.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Clearwater is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x the population of Elyria.
From a growth perspective, Clearwater 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 | Clearwater | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,292 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Clearwater
Advantages
Home to Clearwater Beach, consistently ranked among the top beaches in the United States by TripAdvisor.
Abundant sunshine averaging 231 sunny days per year with warm winters averaging a low of 54.1°F.
World-class healthcare access anchored by Morton Plant Hospital and the extensive BayCare Health System.
No state personal income tax in Florida, providing financial relief for residents and retirees.
Vibrant outdoor lifestyle with extensive opportunities for boating, fishing, and park recreation.
Drawbacks
High homeowners insurance rates and vulnerability to tropical storms and hurricanes along the coast.
Significant seasonal traffic congestion, particularly along routes leading to Clearwater Beach.
Higher-than-average housing and rental costs driven by strong coastal real estate demand.
High reliance on automobile transportation with limited heavy rail public transit options.
Summer heat and humidity can be intense during peak months from June through September.
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.
Clearwater
#350Florida, USA
59.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$63,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
231/yr
Avg Temp
73.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
76
Business
70
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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