Performance
Score Breakdown
Cambridge
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Toledo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
6% higher compared to Cambridge.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cambridge's average rent is
56% higher than Toledo's.
| Metric | Cambridge | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,480 | $950 | +56% |
| Groceries | $340 | $342 | -1% |
| Utilities | $115 | $295 | -61% |
| Transport | $75 | $180 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $72 | $200 | -64% |
| Monthly Total | $2,082 | $1,967 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Toledo offers 43% 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 Cambridge is estimated at
$32,800 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Cambridge | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $40,490 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $32,800 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 47,635 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $66,681 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Cambridge | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 74.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cambridge has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
10,000 minutes (167 hours) per year compared to Toledo.
Toledo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Toledo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Cambridge | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 33.0/10 | 46.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toledo is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Cambridge.
From a growth perspective, Cambridge 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 | Cambridge | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,908 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.36% | % |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 8.10% | 4.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Cambridge
Advantages
Cambridge crime rates are 26% lower than the national average, indicating a high level of safety. [cite: 14 in previous step]
The city boasts a strong and diverse industrial base, including advanced manufacturing and automotive sectors, with major employers like Toyota. [cite: 16, 21 in previous step]
Cambridge Memorial Hospital completed a major expansion by 2024, offering modern acute care facilities. [cite: 19, 35 in previous step]
The city offers extensive natural trails and is situated along the Grand River, providing ample outdoor recreational opportunities. [cite: 7, 13, 15, 38 in previous step]
Cambridge maintains a rich heritage character with distinctive limestone architecture and vibrant cultural districts like the Gaslight District. [cite: 7, 11, 13, 15, 26, 27 in previous step]
Drawbacks
The unemployment rate in the Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo CMA was 8.1% as of July 2026, which is higher than the national average. [cite: 29 in previous step]
Housing costs are a significant concern, with average rent being higher than the Canadian national average and home prices substantial. [cite: 3, 4, 10, 13, 23, 24 in previous step]
Public confidence in the healthcare system in Cambridge was reported as lower compared to other regional municipalities in 2023. [cite: 9, 45, 49 in previous step]
The city has a relatively low Walk Score (33) and Transit Score (35), indicating a car-dependent environment for most errands. [cite: 19, 22, 30, 41 in previous step]
Specific pockets within Downtown Galt and other areas experience higher rates of minor crimes like property crime and visible homelessness.
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.
Cambridge
#21Ontario, Canada
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,480
Avg Salary
$40,490
Cost Index
85
Commute
min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
33.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
3.36%
Unemployment
8.10%
Livability
72
Business
68
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Cambridge and Toledo.
Open Cost Calculator