City Comparison
Manchester vs Elyria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Manchester scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Manchester
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elyria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
26% lower than in Manchester.
Housing costs are a major driver: Manchester's average rent is
69% higher than Elyria's.
| Metric | Manchester | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $917 | +69% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $249 | -30% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $125 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $2,500 | $1,861 | +34% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 9% 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 Manchester is estimated at
$58,000 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Manchester | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,608 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Manchester runs warmer on average — a 50.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Manchester comes out ahead with 253 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Manchester sees 23 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Manchester | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 23.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Manchester scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Manchester leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Manchester | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 13.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Manchester is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Elyria.
From a growth perspective, Manchester 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 | Manchester | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,498 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Manchester
Advantages
Median home prices and average rents are more affordable compared to neighboring Hartford suburbs like Glastonbury and West Hartford per Zillow 2024 data.
Abundant outdoor recreation options, including the popular Case Mountain hiking and conservation area.
Strong commuter accessibility via direct access to Interstate 84 and Interstate 384.
Rich historical identity anchored by the Cheney Brothers Silk Historic District.
Major commercial and retail hub status featuring the Buckland Hills shopping district.
Drawbacks
Property tax rates in Hartford County can be relatively high for homeowners.
Certain major commuter corridors experience heavy traffic congestion during peak morning and evening rush hours.
Public transit options outside of primary bus lines are somewhat limited, maintaining a reliance on personal vehicles.
Winters bring substantial snowfall and freezing temperatures common to the New England region.
Older housing stock in historic districts may require frequent maintenance and energy-efficiency updates.
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.
Manchester
#387Connecticut, USA
58.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
75
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Manchester and Elyria.
Open Cost Calculator