City Comparison
Parma vs Kettering
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kettering scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Parma
Kettering
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kettering is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Parma.
| Metric | Parma | Kettering | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,150 | +9% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,145 | $2,045 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 91 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Parma offers similar average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Parma is estimated at
$48,000 vs $48,000 in Kettering.
| Metric | Parma | Kettering |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,736 idx | 63,736 idx |
| Household Income | $64,500 | $68,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.2°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 — Parma sees 20.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Parma | Kettering |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.20°F | 53.40°F |
| Summer High | 81.20°F | 82.60°F |
| Winter Low | 19.50°F | 21.20°F |
| Rainfall | 44.80 in | 44.00 in |
| Snowfall | 39.60 in | 18.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 220 | 237 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Parma leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Parma | Kettering |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Parma is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Kettering.
From a growth perspective, Parma 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 | Parma | Kettering |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 77,880 | 57,862 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 42.1 | 42.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Parma
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average per US Census data.
Proximity to downtown Cleveland offers easy access to major employment hubs, cultural institutions, and professional sports.
University Hospitals Parma Medical Center provides top-tier local healthcare and emergency services within city limits.
Extensive municipal park system featuring James Day Park offers robust recreational facilities and community programming.
Crime rates remain well below national averages for cities of comparable size, ensuring a secure suburban environment.
Drawbacks
High property tax rates in Cuyahoga County can offset some of the savings from lower home purchase prices.
Car dependency is high, with limited public transit options for those who prefer not to drive.
Aging housing stock often requires routine modernization and maintenance updates for older properties.
Cold, snowy winters with significant annual snowfall totals require regular winter weather preparedness.
Job growth within immediate city limits is moderate, requiring many residents to commute to surrounding areas for specialized careers.
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.
Parma
#164Ohio, USA
64.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
220/yr
Avg Temp
51.20°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
Business
67
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Parma and Kettering.
Open Cost Calculator