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Fort Collins vs Toledo

Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.

Colorado, USA
View Fort Collins profile
#53 in USA
63
Overall Score
VS
Ohio, USA
View Toledo profile
#149 in USA
45
Overall Score
Fort Collins scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Fort Collins
Toledo
Livability
74
68
Affordability
65
85
Business
68
75
Growth
70
60

Cost of Living

Toledo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately 93% higher compared to Fort Collins. Housing costs are a major driver: Fort Collins's average rent is 72% higher than Toledo's.
MetricFort CollinsToledoDiff
Average Rent
$1,632$950+72%
Groceries
$402$342+18%
Utilities
$180$295-39%
Transport
$120$180-33%
Healthcare
$1,460$200+630%
Monthly Total
$3,794$1,967+93%
Cost Index
10095out of 100

Salary & Income

Toledo offers 16% 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 Fort Collins is estimated at $65,280 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
MetricFort CollinsToledo
Average Salary
$59,672$71,000
Salary Needed
$65,280$52,000
Purchasing Power
59,672 idx74,737 idx
Household Income
$85,070$49,724

Climate Comparison

Fort Collins runs warmer on average — a 51.3°F difference year-round. For sunshine, Fort Collins comes out ahead with 291 more sunny days per year, which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle. Winter severity differs too — Fort Collins sees 19.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
MetricFort CollinsToledo
Avg Temp
51.30°F°F
Summer High
84.10°F°F
Winter Low
18.20°F°F
Rainfall
17.10 in in
Snowfall
19.90 in in
Sunny Days
291
Humidity
65.00%70.00%

Commute & Transport

Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other. 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.
MetricFort CollinsToledo
Commute Time
20 min20 min
Transit Score
37.0/1045.0/10
Walkability
37.0/1046.0/10
Traffic Index
45.0050.00
Car Dependency
MediumHigh

Economy & Demographics

Toledo is the larger city — approximately 0.6x the population of Fort Collins. From a growth perspective, Fort Collins is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Fort Collins has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricFort CollinsToledo
Population
171,693267,463
Pop. Growth
0.11%%
Median Age
30.935.8
Unemployment
3.70%4.40%
GDP
$0.0B$0.0B

Pros & Cons

Fort Collins
Advantages
Fort Collins has a lower violent crime rate than the national average.
The city's total crime rate decreased by 18.8% from 2008 to 2022.
Fort Collins has a high percentage of residents with a Bachelor's degree or higher (60.7%).
The average commute time is relatively low at 19.5 minutes.
Fort Collins is very bikeable and has several highly walkable neighborhoods.
Drawbacks
The median sales price for single-family homes increased by 1.7% in December 2024.
The cost of purchasing a home in Fort Collins has nearly doubled in the past 8 years.
Fair Market Rent prices in Fort Collins are very high compared to the national average.
The average cost of assisted living in Fort Collins is higher than both the state and national averages.
The Fort Collins, CO area's rent-to-income ratio is higher than the average for mid-sized metros, indicating less affordability.
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.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Fort Collins
#53
Colorado, USA
62.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,632
Avg Salary
$59,672
Cost Index
100
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
37.0/10
Walkability
37.0/10
Sunny Days
291/yr
Avg Temp
51.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.11%
Unemployment
3.70%
Livability
74
Business
68
View Full Profile
Toledo
#149
Ohio, 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
View Full Profile

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