Performance
Score Breakdown
Aachen
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aachen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
13% lower compared to Toledo.
Housing costs are a major driver: Aachen's average rent is
10% lower than Toledo's.
| Metric | Aachen | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $856 | $950 | -10% |
| Groceries | $350 | $342 | +2% |
| Utilities | $180 | $295 | -39% |
| Transport | $73 | $180 | -59% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $200 | +25% |
| Monthly Total | $1,709 | $1,967 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 48 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Toledo offers 93% 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 Aachen is estimated at
$2,943 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Aachen | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $4,680 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $2,943 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 9,750 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $43,000 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Aachen | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 79.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Toledo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Aachen.
Aachen scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Aachen leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Aachen | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 65.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 80.0/10 | 46.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toledo is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Aachen is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aachen has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Aachen | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,000 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.27% | % |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.71% | 4.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Aachen
Advantages
Aachen offers a high quality of life with top-notch healthcare and public transport.
The city boasts a growing economy and a strong tech hub, leading to numerous job opportunities, especially in technology and engineering.
Aachen has low crime rates, making it a safe place to live.
Its location near the borders of Belgium and the Netherlands provides excellent travel perks and a diverse cultural experience.
The cost of living, particularly rent, is more affordable compared to major German cities like Munich or Frankfurt.
Drawbacks
Aachen's weather can be a drawback, with frequent rain, especially during winter.
While English is common, a good grasp of German is often necessary for daily life and local job opportunities.
The housing market is competitive, and finding accommodation, especially for students, can involve long waiting lists.
The nightlife scene is not as extensive as in larger cities like Berlin or Cologne.
Making friends with local residents can be challenging for expats, with a lower ease-of-making-friends score compared to the global average.
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.
Aachen
#3North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$856
Avg Salary
$4,680
Cost Index
48
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
65.0/10
Walkability
80.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.27%
Unemployment
3.71%
Livability
74
Business
68
Toledo
#69Ohio, 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 Aachen and Toledo.
Open Cost Calculator