City Comparison
Naperville vs Elyria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Naperville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Naperville
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elyria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
37% lower than in Naperville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Naperville's average rent is
113% higher than Elyria's.
| Metric | Naperville | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $917 | +113% |
| Groceries | $460 | $450 | +2% |
| Utilities | $175 | $249 | -30% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $125 | +84% |
| Monthly Total | $2,945 | $1,861 | +58% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Naperville offers 9% higher 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 Naperville is estimated at
$70,000 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Naperville | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $85,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,672 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $145,000 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Naperville runs warmer on average — a 51.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Naperville comes out ahead with 250 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Naperville sees 26.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Naperville | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 34.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 26.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Elyria has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Naperville.
Naperville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Naperville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Naperville | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 13.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Naperville is the larger city
— approximately 2.8x the population of Elyria.
From a growth perspective, Naperville 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 | Naperville | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,540 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Naperville
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the top public school districts in Illinois per Niche 2024 data
Extremely low crime rates and high safety profile relative to national averages per FBI crime reports
Vibrant downtown area featuring the scenic Riverwalk, local dining, and boutique shopping
Direct commuter rail service to downtown Chicago via the Metra BNSF line
Strong local economy with high median household incomes well above the national baseline
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing prices compared to the national average
Elevated property taxes characteristic of the Chicago collar counties
High level of car dependency outside of the immediate downtown district
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along major corridors like Route 59 and I-88
Cold and snowy winter climate requiring substantial seasonal maintenance
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.
Naperville
#223Illinois, USA
63.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$85,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
51.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
90
Business
80
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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