City Comparison
Johannesburg vs Toledo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Johannesburg scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Johannesburg
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Johannesburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Toledo.
| Metric | Johannesburg | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $950 | 0% |
| Groceries | $350 | $342 | +2% |
| Utilities | $160 | $295 | -46% |
| Transport | $110 | $180 | -39% |
| Healthcare | $180 | $200 | -10% |
| Monthly Total | $1,750 | $1,967 | -11% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Toledo offers 66% 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 Johannesburg is estimated at
$18,000 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Johannesburg | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $24,000 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $18,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,333 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $22,500 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Johannesburg runs warmer on average — a 61.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Johannesburg comes out ahead with 225 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Johannesburg sees 3.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Johannesburg | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 61.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 63.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 59.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 225 | |
| Humidity | 58.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Toledo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
12,000 minutes (200 hours) per year compared to Johannesburg.
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 | Johannesburg | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 44 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 46.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 68.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Johannesburg is the larger city
— approximately 21.9x the population of Toledo.
From a growth perspective, Johannesburg 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 | Johannesburg | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,854,200 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.60% | — |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 30.20% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Johannesburg
Advantages
Thriving corporate and financial hub housing the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and major multinational headquarters.
Exceptional climate featuring over 200 days of sunshine annually and extensive green urban forestry.
World-class private healthcare infrastructure with internationally accredited hospitals and specialists.
Vibrant cultural scene, featuring acclaimed museums, galleries, dining establishments, and a rich musical heritage.
Favorable cost of living and housing value for professionals earning competitive local salaries or remote foreign income.
Drawbacks
Elevated crime rates requiring vigilant personal security measures and gated residential environments.
Significant traffic congestion during peak commuting hours across major metropolitan highway corridors.
Fragmented public mass transit network leading to heavy reliance on private automobiles and rideshares.
Municipal infrastructure challenges, including occasional power interruptions and water supply maintenance issues.
Broader regional and national unemployment pressures impacting broader socio-economic stability.
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.
Johannesburg
#38Gauteng, South Africa
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$24,000
Cost Index
45
Commute
44 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
225/yr
Avg Temp
61.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.60%
Unemployment
30.20%
Livability
70
Business
74
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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