City Comparison
Durban vs Toledo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Durban scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Durban
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Durban is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
35% lower than in Toledo.
Housing costs are a major driver: Durban's average rent is
32% lower than Toledo's.
| Metric | Durban | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $650 | $950 | -32% |
| Groceries | $280 | $342 | -18% |
| Utilities | $110 | $295 | -63% |
| Transport | $95 | $180 | -47% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $200 | -25% |
| Monthly Total | $1,285 | $1,967 | -35% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Toledo offers 80% 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 Durban is estimated at
$11,000 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Durban | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $14,000 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $11,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 33,333 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $16,500 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Durban runs warmer on average — a 71°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Durban comes out ahead with 240 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Durban sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Durban | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 71.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 72.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 71.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 240 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Toledo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,500 minutes (125 hours) per year compared to Durban.
Durban scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Durban leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Durban | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 35 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 46.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Durban is the larger city
— approximately 15.7x the population of Toledo.
From a growth perspective, Durban 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 | Durban | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,200,000 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | — |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 29.50% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Durban
Advantages
Subtropical climate with 240 sunny days per year and warm ocean temperatures
Housing and rental costs are notably lower than in Cape Town or Johannesburg
Rich cultural heritage and world-renowned culinary scene, including authentic local cuisine
Strategic coastal location anchored by Africa's busiest shipping and logistics port
Abundant outdoor recreational activities along the Golden Mile and surrounding coastal reserves
Drawbacks
High regional unemployment rate mirroring broader South African economic hurdles
Crime rates require constant security vigilance and gated or secure residential planning
Occasional municipal infrastructure challenges including water and power supply disruptions
Traffic congestion during peak hours along primary highway corridors
High summer humidity can be intense for unacclimatized newcomers
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.
Durban
#20KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
64.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$14,000
Cost Index
42
Commute
35 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
240/yr
Avg Temp
71.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
29.50%
Livability
73
Business
67
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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