City Comparison
Virginia vs Toledo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Virginia scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Virginia
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Virginia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
57% lower than in Toledo.
Housing costs are a major driver: Virginia's average rent is
63% lower than Toledo's.
| Metric | Virginia | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $350 | $950 | -63% |
| Groceries | $200 | $342 | -42% |
| Utilities | $90 | $295 | -69% |
| Transport | $80 | $180 | -56% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $200 | -40% |
| Monthly Total | $840 | $1,967 | -57% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Toledo offers 87% 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 Virginia is estimated at
$8,000 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Virginia | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $9,500 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $8,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 21,111 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $8,500 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Virginia runs warmer on average — a 63.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Virginia comes out ahead with 276 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Virginia sees 0.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Virginia | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 66.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 62.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 26.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 276 | |
| Humidity | 58.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
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, Virginia leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Virginia | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 46.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toledo is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Virginia.
From a growth perspective, Virginia 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 | Virginia | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 42,000 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.30% | — |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 32.39% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Virginia
Advantages
Significantly lower housing costs and property prices compared to South African major metropolitan areas
Close-knit community atmosphere with active local neighborhood watch and civic organizations
Strategic location within the Free State goldfields and agricultural heartland
Low traffic congestion and straightforward daily commuting within the town
Rich industrial heritage and proximity to broader regional amenities in Welkom
Drawbacks
High national and regional unemployment rates impacting local economic mobility
Limited local job market diversification outside of traditional mining and agriculture
Reliance on neighboring towns for specialized healthcare and higher education facilities
Infrastructure and municipal service delivery challenges common to smaller regional municipalities
Property crime and security concerns requiring private mitigation measures
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.
Virginia
#51Free State, South Africa
50.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$9,500
Cost Index
45
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
276/yr
Avg Temp
63.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
Unemployment
32.39%
Livability
52
Business
45
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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