City Comparison
Spruce Grove vs Elyria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Spruce Grove scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Spruce Grove
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elyria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in Spruce Grove.
Housing costs are a major driver: Spruce Grove's average rent is
58% higher than Elyria's.
| Metric | Spruce Grove | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $917 | +58% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $210 | $249 | -16% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $125 | +76% |
| Monthly Total | $2,450 | $1,861 | +32% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 13% 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 Spruce Grove is estimated at
$52,000 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Spruce Grove | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,388 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $88,000 | $54,945 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Spruce Grove runs warmer on average — a 38.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Spruce Grove comes out ahead with 269 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Spruce Grove sees 43.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Spruce Grove | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 38.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 69.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 1.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 21.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 43.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 269 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Elyria has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Spruce Grove.
Spruce Grove scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Spruce Grove leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Spruce Grove | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 13.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Elyria is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Spruce Grove.
From a growth perspective, Spruce Grove 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 | Spruce Grove | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 37,645 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.10% | — |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 6.50% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Spruce Grove
Advantages
Alberta's lack of provincial retail sales tax provides everyday savings on consumer goods and retail purchases per provincial tax guidelines.
Median home prices and rent offerings remain more accessible compared to major metropolitan centers like Toronto, Vancouver, and core Calgary per Zillow/CREA data.
An exceptionally family-oriented community featuring extensive parks, modern multi-use trail networks, and the TransAlta Tri Leisure Centre.
Strategic location along Highway 16 offering a manageable commute to employment and cultural hubs in the greater Edmonton region.
Consistently low crime rates and active community-oriented policing make it one of the safer municipalities in central Alberta per Statistics Canada.
Drawbacks
High level of automobile dependency for daily errands and commuting, as intra-city public transit options are limited compared to core urban centers.
Cold winter climate featuring extended periods of below-freezing temperatures and heavy seasonal snowfall per historical climate records.
Rapid regional population growth has contributed to rising housing costs and increased traffic congestion along major commuter corridors.
Absence of a major acute-care hospital directly within city limits, requiring travel to Stony Plain or Edmonton for specialized medical emergencies.
Limited late-night entertainment, nightlife, and diverse dining options directly within city boundaries compared to neighboring Edmonton.
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.
Spruce Grove
#9Alberta, Canada
71.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
269/yr
Avg Temp
38.90°F
Pop. Growth
4.10%
Unemployment
6.50%
Livability
82
Business
74
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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