City Comparison
Fort Saskatchewan vs Elyria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fort Saskatchewan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fort Saskatchewan
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elyria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Fort Saskatchewan.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fort Saskatchewan's average rent is
47% higher than Elyria's.
| Metric | Fort Saskatchewan | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $917 | +47% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $210 | $249 | -16% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $180 | $125 | +44% |
| Monthly Total | $2,320 | $1,861 | +25% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 13% 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 Fort Saskatchewan is estimated at
$52,000 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Fort Saskatchewan | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,833 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $83,000 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fort Saskatchewan runs warmer on average — a 38.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fort Saskatchewan comes out ahead with 281 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fort Saskatchewan sees 40.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fort Saskatchewan | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 38.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 71.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | -1.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 17.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 40.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 281 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Fort Saskatchewan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Fort Saskatchewan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fort Saskatchewan | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 13.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Elyria is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Fort Saskatchewan.
From a growth perspective, Fort Saskatchewan 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 | Fort Saskatchewan | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,165 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.93% | — |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 5.80% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fort Saskatchewan
Advantages
Average household income exceeds $118,000, ranking among the highest in the regional municipal tier.
Strategically positioned adjacent to Alberta's Industrial Heartland, offering abundant high-paying technical and engineering careers.
Exceptional community safety profile with crime rates notably lower than the provincial and national urban averages.
Extensive network of over 75 kilometers of paved multi-use trail systems connecting parks and neighborhoods.
Lower average residential rent and housing purchase costs compared to neighboring Edmonton proper.
Drawbacks
High degree of car dependency due to limited intra-city public transit infrastructure.
Local rental market inventory can experience tight vacancy periods during peaks of industrial project expansions.
Winters feature prolonged sub-zero temperatures requiring robust winterization and vehicle maintenance (-1°F winter low) [Open-Meteo].
Proximity to heavy industrial zones means occasional industrial flaring or localized air quality advisories.
Retail and dining variety remains somewhat limited compared to major metropolitan centers, requiring trips to Edmonton for specialty goods.
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.
Fort Saskatchewan
#13Alberta, Canada
70.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
281/yr
Avg Temp
38.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.93%
Unemployment
5.80%
Livability
80
Business
74
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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