Performance
Score Breakdown
Montreal
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Toledo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
1% higher compared to Montreal.
Housing costs are a major driver: Montreal's average rent is
42% higher than Toledo's.
| Metric | Montreal | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,351 | $950 | +42% |
| Groceries | $356 | $342 | +4% |
| Utilities | $107 | $295 | -64% |
| Transport | $100 | $180 | -44% |
| Healthcare | $71 | $200 | -65% |
| Monthly Total | $1,985 | $1,967 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 63 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Toledo offers 25% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Montreal delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Montreal is estimated at
$42,780 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Montreal | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $53,475 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,780 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 84,881 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $45,335 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Montreal | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Toledo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Montreal.
Montreal scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Montreal leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Montreal | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 77.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 87.0/10 | 46.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 39.78 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Montreal is the larger city
— approximately 7.3x the population of Toledo.
From a growth perspective, Montreal 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 | Montreal | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,945,359 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | 5.30% | % |
| Median Age | 40.6 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 6.80% | 4.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Montreal
Advantages
Montreal boasts a vibrant cultural scene with numerous festivals and events year-round, including the Just For Laughs Festival and the Montreal Fireworks Festival.
The city is highly walkable (Walk Score 87) and offers excellent public transportation (Transit Score 77), reducing the need for a car.
Montreal is North America's most bike-friendly city, with over 1,065 kilometers of bike lanes and paths.
The cost of living in Montreal is generally more affordable than in other major Canadian cities like Toronto and Vancouver.
Montreal's economy is diverse and resilient, with strong growth in sectors like aerospace, information technology, and digital media.
Drawbacks
Crimes against persons and hate crimes increased in Montreal in 2024.
Traffic congestion is a notable issue, with Montreal ranking among the most congested cities globally.
While overall rent is more affordable than some major cities, average rent prices have been consistently increasing.
The unemployment rate, while showing recent declines, climbed to 7.8% in 2024 before improving to 6.8% by December 2025.
The average commute time in Montreal is 29 minutes, which is among the highest in Canadian metro areas.
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.
Montreal
#5Quebec, Canada
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,351
Avg Salary
$53,475
Cost Index
63
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
77.0/10
Walkability
87.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
5.30%
Unemployment
6.80%
Livability
85
Business
75
Toledo
#64Ohio, 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 Montreal and Toledo.
Open Cost Calculator