City Comparison
Kettering vs Elyria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kettering scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kettering
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elyria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Kettering.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kettering's average rent is
25% higher than Elyria's.
| Metric | Kettering | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $917 | +25% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $249 | -30% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $125 | +84% |
| Monthly Total | $2,045 | $1,861 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 26% 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 Kettering is estimated at
$48,000 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Kettering | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,736 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $68,500 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Kettering runs warmer on average — a 53.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Kettering comes out ahead with 237 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Kettering sees 18.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kettering | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 237 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Kettering scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Kettering leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kettering | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 13.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kettering is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Elyria.
From a growth perspective, Kettering 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 | Kettering | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,862 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kettering
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain comfortably below the national average per Zillow and DataUSA data.
Exceptional local parks and recreation facilities, including the renowned Kettering Recreation Complex.
Strong public safety profile with violent and property crime rates well below national medians.
Proximity to major regional employment drivers including Kettering Health and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Well-rated local public school district offering robust academic and extracurricular programs.
Drawbacks
Aging housing stock in many neighborhoods may require ongoing maintenance and energy-efficiency updates.
Public transit options are limited, resulting in high reliance on personal automobiles for daily errands.
Modest job growth rate compared to booming southern or western metropolitan hubs.
Winters can be cold and grey, requiring regular snow removal and property maintenance.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options within city limits, often requiring travel into downtown Dayton.
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.
Kettering
#132Ohio, USA
65.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
237/yr
Avg Temp
53.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
79
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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