City Comparison
Guelph vs Elyria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Guelph scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Guelph
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elyria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Guelph.
Housing costs are a major driver: Guelph's average rent is
47% higher than Elyria's.
| Metric | Guelph | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $917 | +47% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $160 | $249 | -36% |
| Transport | $100 | $120 | -17% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $125 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,210 | $1,861 | +19% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 33% 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 Guelph is estimated at
$45,000 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Guelph | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 56,522 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $72,000 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Guelph runs warmer on average — a 45.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Guelph comes out ahead with 229 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Guelph sees 61.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Guelph | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 45.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 13.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 61.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 229 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Guelph scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Guelph leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Guelph | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 13.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Guelph is the larger city
— approximately 2.8x the population of Elyria.
From a growth perspective, Guelph 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 | Guelph | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,000 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | — |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Guelph
Advantages
Unemployment rate in Guelph consistently tracks below the national average per Statistics Canada 2025 data.
Consistently ranked among the safest mid-sized cities in Canada with low violent crime indexes.
Home to the internationally renowned University of Guelph, driving innovation, research, and cultural amenities.
Abundant green spaces, including over 1,000 hectares of parks and protected trails.
Strategic location within the Toronto-Waterloo innovation corridor offering robust economic connectivity.
Drawbacks
Housing and rental costs have risen significantly over recent years due to high regional demand.
Public transit coverage in newer suburban expansions can be less frequent, increasing car dependency.
Winter weather brings significant snowfall averaging over 60 inches, requiring robust municipal snow clearance.
Local rental vacancy rates remain tight, making the apartment hunting process highly competitive.
Traffic congestion during peak rush hours along major arteries like Highway 6 has increased with population growth.
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.
Guelph
#12Ontario, Canada
70.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
229/yr
Avg Temp
45.70°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
78
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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