City Comparison
Grande Prairie vs Elyria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Grande Prairie scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Grande Prairie
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elyria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Grande Prairie.
Housing costs are a major driver: Grande Prairie's average rent is
43% higher than Elyria's.
| Metric | Grande Prairie | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,315 | $917 | +43% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $249 | -28% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $125 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,185 | $1,861 | +17% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 17% 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 Grande Prairie is estimated at
$52,000 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Grande Prairie | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $74,500 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Grande Prairie runs warmer on average — a 38.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Grande Prairie comes out ahead with 272 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Grande Prairie sees 49 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Grande Prairie | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 38.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 72.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 0.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 14.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 49.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 272 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grande Prairie has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Elyria.
Grande Prairie scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Grande Prairie leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Grande Prairie | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 13.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grande Prairie is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Elyria.
From a growth perspective, Grande Prairie 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 | Grande Prairie | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 70,385 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | — |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 6.50% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Grande Prairie
Advantages
Median home purchase prices and rental rates remain significantly lower than major Canadian urban centers
High average household and family incomes provide strong purchasing power and discretionary income
Abundant employment opportunities across thriving energy, forestry, and agricultural sectors
State-of-the-art regional hospital and healthcare infrastructure serving northwestern Alberta
Extensive modern recreational and athletic facilities, including the massive Eastlink Centre
Drawbacks
Severe winter conditions with prolonged freezing temperatures increase heating and utility costs
High reliance on personal vehicles due to limited public transit coverage outside core areas
Property crime rates can occasionally trend higher than the national rural average
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan hubs like Edmonton requires significant travel for specific specialized services
Economic cycles closely tied to global commodity and energy markets create occasional employment volatility
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.
Grande Prairie
#43Alberta, Canada
61.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,315
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
272/yr
Avg Temp
38.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
6.50%
Livability
75
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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