Performance
Score Breakdown
Elyria
Nitro
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Nitro is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
55% higher compared to Elyria.
Housing costs are a major driver: Elyria's average rent is
24% lower than Nitro's.
| Metric | Elyria | Nitro | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $917 | $1,200 | -24% |
| Groceries | $450 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $249 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $125 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,861 | $1,200 | +55% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Nitro offers 1% 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 Elyria is estimated at
$30,516 vs $19,440 in Nitro.
| Metric | Elyria | Nitro |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $78,954 |
| Salary Needed | $30,516 | $19,440 |
| Purchasing Power | 82,979 idx | 78,172 idx |
| Household Income | $54,945 | $53,848 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Elyria | Nitro |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Elyria scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Elyria leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Elyria | Nitro |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 13.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Elyria is the larger city
— approximately 8.4x the population of Nitro.
From a growth perspective, Elyria 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 | Elyria | Nitro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 53,634 | 6,366 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 44.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 8.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Nitro
Advantages
Nitro boasts a significantly lower violent crime rate than the national average, at 2.4 per 1,000 residents.
The median home value in Nitro is considerably lower than the national average, making housing more affordable.
The average rent in Nitro is 38% below the national average, offering affordable rental options.
Nitro High School is recognized as a WV Exemplary School and ranks 7th in the state.
The city offers numerous outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, biking, kayaking, and fishing at Ridenour Lake and the Nitro Boat Dock.
Drawbacks
Nitro has a Walk Score of 0, indicating high car dependency and limited walkability.
The overall cost of living in Nitro is 1% higher than the U.S. national average.
The unemployment rate in Nitro was 8.3% as of March 2026, which is higher than the national average.
Some sources indicate that Nitro's overall crime rates are 179% higher than the West Virginia average.
The labor force participation rate in West Virginia, which Nitro is a part of, is among the lowest in the nation.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Elyria
#14Ohio, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$917
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
94
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
13.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
75
Business
50
Nitro
#99West Virginia, USA
66.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$78,954
Cost Index
101
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
8.30%
Livability
66
Business
0
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