Culiacán
Sinaloa, Mexico
#10 in Mexico
65
Overall Score
VS
Elyria
Ohio, USA
#16 in USA
75
Overall Score
Elyria scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Culiacán
Elyria
Livability
74
75
Affordability
70
94
Business
68
50
Growth
70
45

Cost of Living

Culiacán is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately 53% lower compared to Elyria. Housing costs are a major driver: Culiacán's average rent is 57% lower than Elyria's.
MetricCuliacánElyriaDiff
Average Rent
$393$917-57%
Groceries
$253$450-44%
Utilities
$58$249-77%
Transport
$14$120-88%
Healthcare
$150$125+20%
Monthly Total
$868$1,861-53%
Cost Index
3194out of 100

Salary & Income

Elyria offers 99% 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 Culiacán is estimated at $1,087 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
MetricCuliacánElyria
Average Salary
$748$78,000
Salary Needed
$1,087$30,516
Purchasing Power
2,413 idx82,979 idx

Climate Comparison

Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
MetricCuliacánElyria
Avg Temp
°F°F
Summer High
°F°F
Winter Low
°F°F
Rainfall
in in
Snowfall
in in
Sunny Days
Humidity
75.00%70.00%

Commute & Transport

Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other. Culiacán scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Culiacán leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricCuliacánElyria
Commute Time
23 min23 min
Transit Score
55.0/1030.0/10
Walkability
60.0/1013.0/10
Traffic Index
45.0045.00
Car Dependency
HighHigh

Economy & Demographics

Culiacán is the larger city — approximately 16.8x the population of Elyria. From a growth perspective, Culiacán is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Culiacán has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricCuliacánElyria
Population
900,19253,634
Pop. Growth
1.81%%
Median Age
39.4
Unemployment
2.59%3.40%
GDP
$0.0B$0.0B

Pros & Cons

Culiacán
Advantages
Affordable cost of living, with expenses for housing, food, and transportation significantly lower than national and international averages.
Strong agricultural economy providing numerous jobs in farming, processing, and logistics.
Distinctive Sinaloan culture with vibrant music, cuisine, and traditions.
Growing job market with a 2.5% monthly employment growth rate in Sinaloa as of February 2024.
Significant FDI in Sinaloa, reaching US$316 million in 2024, indicating economic investment.
Drawbacks
Complex safety situation often linked to organized crime, impacting daily life and business.
High car dependency and traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours.
Limited walkability in many areas, necessitating reliance on private transportation.
Economic challenges including a significant informal economy and impacts from security concerns.
Perception of safety can be a concern for residents and potential visitors due to the city's association with narco culture.
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.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Culiacán
#10
Sinaloa, Mexico
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$393
Avg Salary
$748
Cost Index
31
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.81%
Unemployment
2.59%
Livability
74
Business
68
View Full Profile
Elyria
#16
Ohio, 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
View Full Profile

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