City Comparison
Eau Claire vs Toledo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Eau Claire scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Eau Claire
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 Eau Claire.
Housing costs are a major driver: Eau Claire's average rent is
16% higher than Toledo's.
| Metric | Eau Claire | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $950 | +16% |
| Groceries | $400 | $342 | +17% |
| Utilities | $215 | $295 | -27% |
| Transport | $120 | $180 | -33% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $200 | +25% |
| Monthly Total | $2,085 | $1,967 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 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 Eau Claire is estimated at
$55,000 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Eau Claire | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,222 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $67,395 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Eau Claire runs warmer on average — a 46°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Eau Claire comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Eau Claire sees 33.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Eau Claire | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 8.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 33.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Toledo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Eau Claire.
Toledo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Eau Claire leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Eau Claire | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 55.0/10 | 46.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toledo is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Eau Claire.
From a growth perspective, Eau Claire is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Eau Claire has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Eau Claire | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 73,134 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.92% | % |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Eau Claire
Advantages
Affordable cost of living, with housing costs significantly below the national average.
Strong and diversified job market with key sectors including healthcare, retail, and manufacturing.
Access to quality healthcare services provided by major health systems like Mayo Clinic and Marshfield Medical Center.
Vibrant arts and culture scene, including annual music festivals and a historic downtown.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities with parks and riverfront trails.
Drawbacks
Car dependency is high, as most errands require a vehicle.
Public transit options are limited.
Crime rates, particularly property crime, are higher than the national average.
Healthcare costs are slightly higher than the U.S. average.
Racial disparities exist in arrests for low-level offenses by the police department.
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.
Eau Claire
#51Wisconsin, USA
63.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
90
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
46.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.92%
Unemployment
3.20%
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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