City Comparison
Pearl City vs Elyria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Elyria scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Pearl City
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elyria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
48% lower than in Pearl City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Pearl City's average rent is
156% higher than Elyria's.
| Metric | Pearl City | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,350 | $917 | +156% |
| Groceries | $520 | $450 | +16% |
| Utilities | $220 | $249 | -12% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $310 | $125 | +148% |
| Monthly Total | $3,550 | $1,861 | +91% |
| Cost Index | 170 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 8% 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 Pearl City is estimated at
$68,000 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Pearl City | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 42,353 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $92,500 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Pearl City runs warmer on average — a 76.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Pearl City comes out ahead with 228 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Pearl City sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Pearl City | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 66.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 25.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 228 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Elyria has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Pearl City.
Pearl City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Pearl City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Pearl City | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 13.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 65.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Elyria is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Pearl City.
From a growth perspective, Pearl City 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 | Pearl City | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,105 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | — |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Pearl City
Advantages
Median home prices on Oahu have shown stabilization relative to mainland surges per recent real estate indexes.
Proximity to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam provides a robust employment base for military and civil service personnel.
Central Oahu location offers convenient highway access to downtown Honolulu and pristine windward beaches.
Neighborhoods feature low violent crime rates and strong community watch engagement.
Abundant access to outdoor recreation, including nearby hiking trails and coastal parks.
Drawbacks
Cost of living index is significantly higher than the U.S. national average due to shipping and housing costs.
Heavy peak-hour traffic congestion along the H-1 freeway during morning and evening commutes.
High electricity and utility rates compared to the U.S. mainland.
Limited inventory of affordable single-family housing options.
High dependency on imported goods leading to elevated grocery and everyday item prices.
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.
Pearl City
#527Hawaii, USA
50.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,350
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
170
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
228/yr
Avg Temp
76.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
76
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
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