City Comparison
Belfast vs Toledo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Belfast scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Belfast
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Belfast | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,134 | $950 | +19% |
| Groceries | $400 | $342 | +17% |
| Utilities | $202 | $295 | -32% |
| Transport | $90 | $180 | -50% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $200 | -25% |
| Monthly Total | $1,976 | $1,967 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 78 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Toledo offers 37% 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 Belfast is estimated at
$38,000 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Belfast | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $38,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,692 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $41,000 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Belfast runs warmer on average — a 50.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Belfast comes out ahead with 200 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Belfast sees 1.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Belfast | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 66.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 38.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 39.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 1.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 200 | |
| Humidity | 82.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Toledo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Belfast.
Belfast scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Belfast leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Belfast | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 72.0/100 | 46.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Belfast is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Toledo.
From a growth perspective, Belfast is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Toledo has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Belfast | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 350,500 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | — |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Belfast
Advantages
Average house prices in Belfast remain significantly below the UK average at approximately £185,000, offering superior housing affordability.
Belfast is recognized as a leading European tech and cybersecurity investment destination with robust job creation in digital sectors.
The wider Belfast metropolitan area features world-class natural landscapes, with the Belfast Hills and coastline minutes from the center.
Local public transport, dining, and daily services maintain a lower cost index than nearly all major UK core cities.
The city boasts a famously warm, welcoming community and a vibrant cultural, arts, and live music scene.
Drawbacks
Northern Ireland median earnings remain somewhat lower than the broader UK national median wage.
Economic inactivity rates across the wider region remain higher than the UK national average.
Public transport is heavily reliant on bus networks, lacking a comprehensive urban rail or subway transit system.
Variable weather patterns bring frequent rainfall and limited annual sunshine hours compared to southern European tech hubs.
Certain neighborhoods still exhibit residual social segregation tied to historical community divisions.
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.
Belfast
#5Northern Ireland, UK
65.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,134
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
78
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
72.0/100
Sunny Days
200/yr
Avg Temp
50.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
78
Business
72
Toledo
#590Ohio, USA
43.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
46.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
68
Business
75
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