City Comparison
Lorain vs Kettering
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kettering scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lorain
Kettering
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lorain is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Kettering.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lorain's average rent is
17% lower than Kettering's.
| Metric | Lorain | Kettering | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,150 | -17% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,840 | $2,045 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 91 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kettering offers 10% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Kettering delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lorain is estimated at
$45,000 vs $48,000 in Kettering.
| Metric | Lorain | Kettering |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,176 idx | 63,736 idx |
| Household Income | $48,500 | $68,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.6°F of each other.
For sunshine, Kettering comes out ahead with 17 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lorain sees 21 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lorain | Kettering |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.80°F | 53.40°F |
| Summer High | 78.50°F | 82.60°F |
| Winter Low | 22.20°F | 21.20°F |
| Rainfall | 43.70 in | 44.00 in |
| Snowfall | 39.70 in | 18.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 220 | 237 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Kettering has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Lorain.
Kettering scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lorain leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lorain | Kettering |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kettering is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Lorain.
From a growth perspective, Lorain is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kettering has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lorain | Kettering |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 35,886 | 57,862 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 42.5 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lorain
Advantages
Median home prices in Lorain are significantly lower than the national average per Zillow 2024 data.
Proximity to Lake Erie offers abundant recreational boating, fishing, and waterfront park access.
Rich cultural diversity highlighted by community festivals, authentic local eateries, and historic neighborhoods.
Convenient commuting distance to the broader Cleveland metropolitan job and entertainment market.
Lower overall cost of living index allows residents to stretch household budgets further.
Drawbacks
Overall crime rates in certain urban neighborhoods exceed the national median per FBI crime statistics.
Northeast Ohio winters bring heavy snowfall and cold temperatures that require winter preparedness.
Property tax rates in the region can be relatively high compared to the low initial home purchase price.
Job growth within city limits has historically lagged behind high-growth tech hubs.
Public transit options are limited compared to major metropolitan transit systems, increasing car dependency.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Lorain
#480Ohio, USA
53.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
220/yr
Avg Temp
51.80°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
66
Business
60
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
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