City Comparison
North Platte vs Elyria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
North Platte scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
North Platte
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
North Platte is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Elyria.
| Metric | North Platte | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $917 | +4% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $170 | $249 | -32% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $125 | +68% |
| Monthly Total | $1,820 | $1,861 | -2% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 31% 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 North Platte is estimated at
$45,000 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | North Platte | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,364 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $61,200 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
North Platte runs warmer on average — a 52.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, North Platte comes out ahead with 287 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — North Platte sees 11.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | North Platte | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 24.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 11.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 287 | |
| Humidity | 62.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
North Platte has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Elyria.
North Platte scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, North Platte leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | North Platte | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 13.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Elyria is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of North Platte.
From a growth perspective, North Platte is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, North Platte has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | North Platte | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,605 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
North Platte
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living are significantly lower than the U.S. national average per Census Bureau data.
Home to Union Pacific's Bailey Yard, providing robust and stable employment in transportation and logistics.
Exceptionally short average commute times under 18 minutes, reducing daily travel stress.
Access to quality regional healthcare anchored by Great Plains Health.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities nearby, including Lake Maloney State Recreation Area.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation infrastructure makes car ownership an absolute necessity.
Severe winter weather conditions and occasional heavy snowfall can impact travel.
Limited high-paying professional career options outside of healthcare, education, and rail transport.
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan cultural centers and large airports.
Limited dining, nightlife, and entertainment options compared to larger cities.
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.
North Platte
#103Nebraska, USA
67.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
287/yr
Avg Temp
52.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
75
Business
67
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 North Platte and Elyria.
Open Cost Calculator