City Comparison
Orland Park vs Elyria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Orland Park scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Orland Park
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elyria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
36% lower than in Orland Park.
Housing costs are a major driver: Orland Park's average rent is
113% higher than Elyria's.
| Metric | Orland Park | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $917 | +113% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $185 | $249 | -26% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $125 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $2,925 | $1,861 | +57% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Orland Park offers similar 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 Orland Park is estimated at
$65,000 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Orland Park | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,643 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $105,000 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Orland Park runs warmer on average — a 51.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Orland Park comes out ahead with 245 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Orland Park sees 29.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Orland Park | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 29.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 245 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Elyria has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Orland Park.
Orland Park scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Orland Park leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Orland Park | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 34 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 13.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Orland Park is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Elyria.
From a growth perspective, Orland Park 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 | Orland Park | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,805 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 43.5 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Orland Park
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest communities in Illinois with low violent and property crime rates per US Census and FBI data.
Exceptional public school districts serving the area, attracting families seeking top-tier educational opportunities.
Abundant park district amenities, including over 60 parks, sports complexes, and the popular Centennial Park.
Robust retail and dining ecosystem anchored by Orland Square Mall and major commercial corridors.
Convenient commuter rail access to downtown Chicago via multiple Metra SouthWest Service stations.
Drawbacks
Property taxes in Cook County are comparatively high, impacting overall homeownership costs.
High reliance on automobile transportation, leading to traffic congestion along major thoroughfares during peak hours.
Higher-than-average cost of living and housing prices compared to the broader U.S. national average.
Limited high-density urban nightlife or cultural entertainment within the immediate municipal boundaries.
Cold, snowy winter weather conditions typical of the upper Midwest climate.
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.
Orland Park
#135Illinois, USA
65.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
34 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
85
Business
76
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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