Performance
Score Breakdown
Burlington
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Toledo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
13% higher compared to Burlington.
Housing costs are a major driver: Burlington's average rent is
72% higher than Toledo's.
| Metric | Burlington | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,635 | $950 | +72% |
| Groceries | $330 | $342 | -4% |
| Utilities | $111 | $295 | -62% |
| Transport | $72 | $180 | -60% |
| Healthcare | $70 | $200 | -65% |
| Monthly Total | $2,218 | $1,967 | +13% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Toledo offers 30% 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 Burlington is estimated at
$58,490 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Burlington | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $49,679 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,490 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,446 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $77,330 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Burlington | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Toledo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Burlington.
Burlington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Burlington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Burlington | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 65.0/10 | 46.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toledo is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Burlington.
From a growth perspective, Burlington 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 | Burlington | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,805 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.54% | % |
| Median Age | 44.4 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 6.91% | 4.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Burlington
Advantages
Consistently ranked as a top livable city in Canada, with 95% of residents rating their quality of life as 'Good' or 'Excellent'.
Strong and diversified economy with key industries including Advanced Manufacturing, Biomedical & Life Sciences, and IT Communications.
Strategic location within the Golden Horseshoe, offering excellent transportation links to major cities like Toronto.
Abundant natural attractions, including Lake Ontario waterfront, the Niagara Escarpment, and numerous parks and trails.
Access to high-quality healthcare services through Joseph Brant Hospital, a comprehensive community teaching hospital.
Drawbacks
Cost of living is higher than the Canadian national average, particularly for housing.
Average rent for apartments is relatively high, with a 1-bedroom averaging $1,406 USD and a 2-bedroom averaging $1,684 USD.
While generally safe, some residents in 2024 expressed concerns about a perceived decline in safety.
Car dependency is medium, and specific public transit and walkability scores are not widely published, suggesting reliance on personal vehicles for many areas.
Limited number of general hospitals, with Joseph Brant Hospital being the primary facility for the city.
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.
Burlington
#6Ontario, Canada
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,635
Avg Salary
$49,679
Cost Index
85
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
65.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.54%
Unemployment
6.91%
Livability
78
Business
70
Toledo
#65Ohio, USA
68.0 / 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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