City Comparison
Des Plaines vs Elyria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Des Plaines scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Des Plaines
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elyria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
28% lower than in Des Plaines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Des Plaines's average rent is
80% higher than Elyria's.
| Metric | Des Plaines | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $917 | +80% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $249 | -30% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $125 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $2,595 | $1,861 | +39% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 5% 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 Des Plaines is estimated at
$58,000 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Des Plaines | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 71,154 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $82,500 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Des Plaines runs warmer on average — a 51°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Des Plaines comes out ahead with 247 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Des Plaines sees 28.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Des Plaines | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 36.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 28.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 247 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Elyria has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Des Plaines.
Des Plaines scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Des Plaines leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Des Plaines | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 13.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Plaines is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Elyria.
From a growth perspective, Des Plaines 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 | Des Plaines | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,653 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | — |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Des Plaines
Advantages
Exceptional commuter access via the Metra Union Pacific Northwest line providing direct service to downtown Chicago
Immediate proximity to O'Hare International Airport, making air travel and logistics highly convenient
Robust parks and recreation system featuring the scenic Des Plaines River Trail and numerous community facilities
Strong local safety profile with violent and property crime rates consistently below the national average
Vibrant and diverse dining and entertainment scene centered around the revitalized downtown district
Drawbacks
Higher-than-average property taxes characteristic of the greater Chicago metropolitan region
Competitive housing market with rising purchase prices limiting options for first-time buyers
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along major thoroughfares and interstate ramps
Cold and snowy winter conditions requiring dedicated seasonal maintenance and snow removal
Aircraft noise in certain neighborhoods due to proximity to O'Hare International Airport flight paths
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.
Des Plaines
#264Illinois, USA
62.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
104
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
247/yr
Avg Temp
51.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
77
Business
72
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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