City Comparison
New Westminster vs Elyria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
New Westminster scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
New Westminster
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elyria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
35% lower than in New Westminster.
Housing costs are a major driver: New Westminster's average rent is
109% higher than Elyria's.
| Metric | New Westminster | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,920 | $917 | +109% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $249 | -30% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $125 | +76% |
| Monthly Total | $2,845 | $1,861 | +53% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 30% 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 New Westminster is estimated at
$52,000 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | New Westminster | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,900 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 46,525 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $82,000 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
New Westminster runs warmer on average — a 51.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, New Westminster comes out ahead with 210 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — New Westminster sees 33.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | New Westminster | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 74.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 32.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 68.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 33.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 210 | |
| 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 New Westminster.
New Westminster scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New Westminster leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | New Westminster | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 78.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 82.0/100 | 13.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New Westminster is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Elyria.
From a growth perspective, New Westminster 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 | New Westminster | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 78,916 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.60% | — |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 6.40% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
New Westminster
Advantages
Median one-bedroom apartment rent averages around $1,920, offering competitive positioning relative to central Vancouver core pricing.
Exceptional regional transit connectivity via multiple SkyTrain stations on the Expo Line providing direct access across Metro Vancouver.
Home to the heavily expanded Royal Columbian Hospital, providing world-class tertiary and trauma medical services locally.
High urban walkability scores and extensive riverfront boardwalk systems supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Rich historical character blended with modern transit-oriented urban village developments throughout downtown and Uptown.
Drawbacks
Local job growth has historically lagged behind rapid population expansion, resulting in a low jobs-to-population ratio and high outbound commuting.
Overall cost of living remains significantly elevated compared to the Canadian national average due to regional housing pressures.
Limited availability of single-family detached housing stock pushes families toward high-density strata and condo living.
Traffic congestion along key regional corridors linking Burnaby, Coquitlam, and Surrey during peak hours.
Rental vacancy rates remain tight across Metro Vancouver, creating competitive conditions for incoming tenants.
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.
New Westminster
#56British Columbia, Canada
58.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,920
Avg Salary
$54,900
Cost Index
118
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
78.0/100
Walkability
82.0/100
Sunny Days
210/yr
Avg Temp
51.90°F
Pop. Growth
2.60%
Unemployment
6.40%
Livability
78
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
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