City Comparison
Hays vs Elyria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hays scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hays
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hays is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Elyria.
| Metric | Hays | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $917 | -7% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $249 | -30% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $125 | +68% |
| Monthly Total | $1,725 | $1,861 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 31% 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 Hays is estimated at
$45,000 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Hays | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,364 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Hays runs warmer on average — a 56.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Hays comes out ahead with 283 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Hays sees 14.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hays | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 27.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 14.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 283 | |
| Humidity | 62.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Hays has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Elyria.
Hays scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hays leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hays | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 14 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 13.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Elyria is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Hays.
From a growth perspective, Hays is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hays has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hays | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,100 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | — |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hays
Advantages
Median home prices in Hays remain significantly more affordable than the national average per recent housing data.
Hays Medical Center and Fort Hays State University provide robust employment and economic stability for the region.
Crime rates in Hays are consistently well below national averages, ensuring a safe family environment.
Average commute times are exceptionally short, typically under 15 minutes across the city.
The local economy features a lower-than-average unemployment rate supported by diverse industries.
Drawbacks
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan hubs requires significant travel for specialized entertainment or shopping.
Extreme continental weather brings hot summers and cold, windy winters with occasional severe storms.
Limited public transportation options make owning a personal vehicle essentially mandatory.
Regional dining and retail options, while growing, are more limited compared to larger Kansas cities.
Rental vacancy rates can tighten during the academic year due to the influx of university students.
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.
Hays
#93Kansas, USA
67.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
283/yr
Avg Temp
56.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
2.80%
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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