City Comparison
Criciúma vs Elyria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Criciúma scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Criciúma
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Criciúma is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
66% lower than in Elyria.
Housing costs are a major driver: Criciúma's average rent is
73% lower than Elyria's.
| Metric | Criciúma | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $245 | $917 | -73% |
| Groceries | $172 | $450 | -62% |
| Utilities | $97 | $249 | -61% |
| Transport | $40 | $120 | -67% |
| Healthcare | $70 | $125 | -44% |
| Monthly Total | $624 | $1,861 | -66% |
| Cost Index | 23 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 100% 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 Criciúma is estimated at
$600 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Criciúma | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $321 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $600 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 1,396 idx | 82,979 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Criciúma runs warmer on average — a 68.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Criciúma comes out ahead with 207 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Criciúma sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Criciúma | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 68.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 69.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 68.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 67.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 207 | |
| Humidity | 76.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Criciúma has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
11,500 minutes (192 hours) per year compared to Elyria.
Elyria scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Elyria leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Criciúma | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | — | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 13.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Criciúma is the larger city
— approximately 4.3x the population of Elyria.
From a growth perspective, Criciúma 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 | Criciúma | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 230,013 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.13% | — |
| Median Age | 39.4 | |
| Unemployment | 5.97% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Criciúma
Advantages
Criciúma offers 100% coverage in Primary Health Care, ranking first in Brazil for this indicator.
The city was elected the most entrepreneurial in Santa Catarina in 2024, indicating a strong business environment.
Criciúma recorded an almost 22% increase in new business openings in the first half of 2026, surpassing the state average.
The cost of living in Criciúma is significantly affordable, with average monthly expenses around $795 USD for one person in 2026.
Criciúma consistently ranks among the 50 best cities in Brazil to live, reflecting a high quality of life.
Drawbacks
The average monthly net salary in Criciúma is relatively low at $321 USD, which might be a challenge despite the low cost of living.
Specific, recent data for median household income and median age for Criciúma are not readily available.
Detailed public transit and walkability scores for the city are not available, making it difficult to assess urban mobility comprehensively.
While crime rates are below the state average, the most common reported crimes are threats and minor bodily harm.
The city's historical reliance on coal mining may present environmental challenges, though there's a push towards sustainable development.
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.
Criciúma
#57Santa Catarina, Brazil
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$245
Avg Salary
$321
Cost Index
23
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
207/yr
Avg Temp
68.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.13%
Unemployment
5.97%
Livability
78
Business
80
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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