City Comparison
Independence vs Elyria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Independence scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Independence
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elyria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Independence.
Housing costs are a major driver: Independence's average rent is
58% higher than Elyria's.
| Metric | Independence | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $917 | +58% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $249 | -30% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $125 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $2,415 | $1,861 | +30% |
| 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 Independence is estimated at
$52,000 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Independence | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,833 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $82,500 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Independence runs warmer on average — a 54.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Independence comes out ahead with 238 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Independence sees 23.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Independence | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 23.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 48.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 23.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 238 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Elyria has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Independence.
Independence scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Independence leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Independence | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 13.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Elyria is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Independence.
From a growth perspective, Independence 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 | Independence | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,079 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | — |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Independence
Advantages
Violent and property crime rates are significantly lower than the national average per FBI crime data.
Median home prices offer better square footage value compared to downtown Cincinnati and nearby major hubs.
Access to well-maintained local parks and recreation spaces, including Memorial Park.
Consistent and strong community safety profile ideal for raising families and retirees.
Proximity to the Greater Cincinnati job market while maintaining a quiet suburban atmosphere.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transportation options within city limits.
Limited local nightlife and high-end dining options directly inside the city.
Commuting during peak rush hours along major corridors like US-17 can experience delays.
Inventory for rental apartments can be competitive due to high demand for single-family homes.
Local commercial development is still expanding, requiring travel outside the city for major retail shopping.
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.
Independence
#45Kentucky, USA
70.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
54.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
80
Business
68
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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