City Comparison
Parma vs Lorain
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Parma scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Parma
Lorain
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lorain is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Parma.
Housing costs are a major driver: Parma's average rent is
32% higher than Lorain's.
| Metric | Parma | Lorain | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $950 | +32% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $170 | +3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,145 | $1,840 | +17% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Parma offers 12% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Parma delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Parma is estimated at
$48,000 vs $45,000 in Lorain.
| Metric | Parma | Lorain |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,736 idx | 61,176 idx |
| Household Income | $64,500 | $48,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.59999999999999°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Lorain sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Parma | Lorain |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.20°F | 51.80°F |
| Summer High | 81.20°F | 78.50°F |
| Winter Low | 19.50°F | 22.20°F |
| Rainfall | 44.80 in | 43.70 in |
| Snowfall | 39.60 in | 39.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 220 | 220 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Parma scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lorain leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Parma | Lorain |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Parma is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x the population of Lorain.
From a growth perspective, Parma is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Parma has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Parma | Lorain |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 77,880 | 35,886 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 42.1 | 37.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Parma
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average per US Census data.
Proximity to downtown Cleveland offers easy access to major employment hubs, cultural institutions, and professional sports.
University Hospitals Parma Medical Center provides top-tier local healthcare and emergency services within city limits.
Extensive municipal park system featuring James Day Park offers robust recreational facilities and community programming.
Crime rates remain well below national averages for cities of comparable size, ensuring a secure suburban environment.
Drawbacks
High property tax rates in Cuyahoga County can offset some of the savings from lower home purchase prices.
Car dependency is high, with limited public transit options for those who prefer not to drive.
Aging housing stock often requires routine modernization and maintenance updates for older properties.
Cold, snowy winters with significant annual snowfall totals require regular winter weather preparedness.
Job growth within immediate city limits is moderate, requiring many residents to commute to surrounding areas for specialized careers.
Lorain
Advantages
Median home prices in Lorain are significantly lower than the national average per Zillow 2024 data.
Proximity to Lake Erie offers abundant recreational boating, fishing, and waterfront park access.
Rich cultural diversity highlighted by community festivals, authentic local eateries, and historic neighborhoods.
Convenient commuting distance to the broader Cleveland metropolitan job and entertainment market.
Lower overall cost of living index allows residents to stretch household budgets further.
Drawbacks
Overall crime rates in certain urban neighborhoods exceed the national median per FBI crime statistics.
Northeast Ohio winters bring heavy snowfall and cold temperatures that require winter preparedness.
Property tax rates in the region can be relatively high compared to the low initial home purchase price.
Job growth within city limits has historically lagged behind high-growth tech hubs.
Public transit options are limited compared to major metropolitan transit systems, increasing car dependency.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Parma
#164Ohio, USA
64.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
220/yr
Avg Temp
51.20°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
Business
67
Lorain
#480Ohio, USA
53.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
220/yr
Avg Temp
51.80°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
66
Business
60
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