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Surrey
British Columbia, Canada
#13 in Canada
72
Overall Score
VS
Toledo
Ohio, USA
#64 in USA
68
Overall Score
Surrey scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Surrey
Toledo
Livability
74
68
Affordability
68
85
Business
75
75
Growth
78
60

Cost of Living

Toledo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately 7% higher compared to Surrey. Housing costs are a major driver: Surrey's average rent is 54% higher than Toledo's.
MetricSurreyToledoDiff
Average Rent
$1,462$950+54%
Groceries
$287$342-16%
Utilities
$122$295-59%
Transport
$80$180-56%
Healthcare
$150$200-25%
Monthly Total
$2,101$1,967+7%
Cost Index
95out of 100

Salary & Income

Toledo offers 51% lower average salaries. The minimum comfortable salary in Surrey is estimated at $45,000 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
MetricSurreyToledo
Average Salary
$34,490$71,000
Salary Needed
$45,000$52,000
Household Income
$62,353$49,724

Climate Comparison

Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
MetricSurreyToledo
Avg Temp
°F°F
Summer High
°F°F
Winter Low
°F°F
Rainfall
in in
Snowfall
in in
Sunny Days
Humidity
70.00%70.00%

Commute & Transport

Toledo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 8,500 minutes (142 hours) per year compared to Surrey. Surrey scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
MetricSurreyToledo
Commute Time
37 min20 min
Transit Score
47.0/1045.0/10
Walkability
46.0/1046.0/10
Traffic Index
163.0050.00
Car Dependency
HighHigh

Economy & Demographics

Surrey is the larger city — approximately 2.7x the population of Toledo. From a growth perspective, Surrey 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.
MetricSurreyToledo
Population
721,000267,463
Pop. Growth
2.50%%
Median Age
39.535.8
Unemployment
5.10%4.40%
GDP
$0.0B$0.0B

Pros & Cons

Surrey
Advantages
Surrey is one of Canada's fastest-growing cities, with a rapidly increasing population and strong economic indicators. [cite: 15, 43, previous search]
The city boasts a robust and diverse economy, with a company growth rate of 2.2% as of October 2025. [cite: 2, previous search]
Surrey's unemployment rate is low at 5.1% (October 2025), indicating a healthy job market. [cite: 2, previous search]
Crime rates in Surrey are 12% lower than the British Columbia average, contributing to a sense of safety. [cite: 31, previous search]
The city offers a more affordable cost of living compared to Vancouver, particularly in housing. [cite: 24, 29, previous search]
Drawbacks
Despite being more affordable than Vancouver, housing costs in Surrey remain a significant expense, with a median home price of $845,000 CAD in April 2026.
The average commute time is approximately 37 minutes, and traffic congestion can be high.
Surrey is considered a car-dependent city, with a Walk Score of 46 and a Transit Score of 47. [cite: 6, 14, previous search]
While public transit is available, the options are somewhat limited compared to more densely populated urban centers. [cite: 14, previous search]
Home care costs can be substantial, averaging around $3,440 USD per month for moderate care.
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.

Surrey
#13
British Columbia, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,462
Avg Salary
$34,490
Cost Index
Commute
37 min
Transit Score
47.0/10
Walkability
46.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
74
Business
75
View Full Profile
Toledo
#64
Ohio, 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
View Full Profile

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