City Comparison
Atlanta vs Toledo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Atlanta scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Atlanta
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Toledo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
47% higher compared to Atlanta.
Housing costs are a major driver: Atlanta's average rent is
98% higher than Toledo's.
| Metric | Atlanta | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,882 | $950 | +98% |
| Groceries | $450 | $342 | +32% |
| Utilities | $180 | $295 | -39% |
| Transport | $120 | $180 | -33% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $200 | +25% |
| Monthly Total | $2,882 | $1,967 | +47% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Toledo offers 8% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Toledo delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Atlanta is estimated at
$55,000 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Atlanta | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,708 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $85,652 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Atlanta runs warmer on average — a 63.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Atlanta comes out ahead with 233 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Atlanta sees 3.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Atlanta | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 233 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Toledo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Atlanta.
Atlanta scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Atlanta leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Atlanta | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 46.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Atlanta is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Toledo.
From a growth perspective, Atlanta is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Atlanta | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 505,268 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.59% | % |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 4.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Atlanta
Advantages
Atlanta offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to other major U.S. cities, with housing costs being a significant factor in its favor.
The city has a strong and diverse job market with projected job growth significantly higher than the national average, driven by key industries like aviation, FinTech, and healthcare.
Atlanta is a major transportation hub, boasting the world's busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which facilitates global travel and trade.
The city provides a high quality of life with a "City in the Forest" ambiance, a vibrant cultural scene, diverse culinary options, and ample outdoor recreational opportunities.
Atlanta's crime rates have shown a downward trend in recent years, with significant reductions in major crime categories in 2024, reaching historic lows for violent crime.
Drawbacks
Atlanta is known for its notorious traffic congestion, which can significantly impact commute times and daily travel.
The city's public transportation system, while present, is often cited as a con due to its limitations in serving the extensive urban sprawl of the metropolitan area.
While generally affordable, housing costs in Atlanta can still be a significant expense, and the market has seen substantial increases in required income to afford a home.
Summer humidity and heat can be intense, contributing to less comfortable outdoor conditions during certain months.
Competition in certain sectors, such as tech and media, can be intense, requiring job seekers to be well-researched and prepared.
Toledo
Advantages
Toledo offers a significantly affordable cost of living, approximately 5% lower than the national average.
The city boasts a thriving arts and cultural scene, highlighted by the world-class Toledo Museum of Art.
Residents have excellent access to nature and outdoor recreation through the extensive Metroparks system, the Maumee River, and Lake Erie.
Toledo has seen significant economic development and business investment, ranking among the top 10 nationally in 2024.
The average commute time in Toledo is relatively short at 19.8 minutes, easing daily travel for residents.
Drawbacks
Toledo has a high violent crime rate, which is significantly above the national average.
The city experiences harsh winters with cold temperatures and notable snowfall.
Toledo's infrastructure, particularly its roads, is often cited as being in poor condition.
Job opportunities in some high-growth sectors may be limited compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Public transportation options in Toledo are considered limited, leading to high car dependency for most errands.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Atlanta
#44Georgia, USA
64.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,882
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
233/yr
Avg Temp
63.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.59%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
74
Business
68
Toledo
#149Ohio, USA
45.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
46.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
68
Business
75
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