City Comparison
Pawtucket vs Elyria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Elyria scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Pawtucket
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elyria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
31% lower than in Pawtucket.
Housing costs are a major driver: Pawtucket's average rent is
95% higher than Elyria's.
| Metric | Pawtucket | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,788 | $917 | +95% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $249 | -28% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $125 | +100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,708 | $1,861 | +46% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 15% 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 Pawtucket is estimated at
$55,000 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Pawtucket | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $66,498 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,998 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $68,310 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Pawtucket | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Elyria has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Pawtucket.
Pawtucket scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Pawtucket leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Pawtucket | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 71.0/100 | 13.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Pawtucket is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Elyria.
From a growth perspective, Pawtucket 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 | Pawtucket | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,893 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | — |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Pawtucket
Advantages
Pawtucket is the third most walkable city in Rhode Island, with a Walk Score of 71, making it easy to run errands on foot.
The median household income in Pawtucket was $68,310 in 2024, which is competitive within the region.
Pawtucket's cost of living is generally more affordable than the national average, with a cost of living index of 95.
The city has a rich industrial history and is home to the Slater Mill Historic Site, a National Historic Landmark.
Pawtucket has a growing arts scene and is actively involved in community development programs.
Drawbacks
Pawtucket has a crime rate that is considerably higher than the national average, with a violent crime rate of 307.6 per 100,000 residents in 2024.
The unemployment rate in Pawtucket was 3.9% as of June 2026, which is higher than the national average of 4.1% in 2024.
Pawtucket's walkability score of 41 indicates a significant car dependency, despite its overall walkability ranking in the state.
While improving, the crime trajectory in Pawtucket is noted as 'improving' based on 5 years of data, suggesting past higher rates.
Pawtucket has a higher poverty rate (13.3%) than the national average (12.5%).
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.
Pawtucket
#425Rhode Island, USA
56.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,788
Avg Salary
$66,498
Cost Index
95
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
71.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
74
Business
68
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 Pawtucket and Elyria.
Open Cost Calculator