City Comparison
Ankeny vs Toledo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ankeny scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ankeny
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Toledo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Ankeny.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ankeny's average rent is
53% higher than Toledo's.
| Metric | Ankeny | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $950 | +53% |
| Groceries | $420 | $342 | +23% |
| Utilities | $170 | $295 | -42% |
| Transport | $110 | $180 | -39% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $200 | +15% |
| Monthly Total | $2,380 | $1,967 | +21% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Ankeny offers similar 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 Ankeny is estimated at
$52,000 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Ankeny | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,958 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $98,500 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Ankeny runs warmer on average — a 52.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Ankeny comes out ahead with 271 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Ankeny sees 23.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ankeny | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 15.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 23.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 271 | |
| Humidity | 67.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
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 | Ankeny | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 46.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toledo is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Ankeny.
From a growth perspective, Ankeny is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Ankeny has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Ankeny | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 73,200 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.50% | — |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Ankeny
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Iowa with crime rates well below the national average per FBI data.
Exceptional public school system (Ankeny Community School District) attracting many families to the area.
Vibrant commercial hubs like The District at Prairie Trail offering diverse dining, shopping, and entertainment.
Rapid economic growth and low unemployment rate tied to a diverse regional job market.
Extensive parks and recreation network featuring over 100 miles of paved trails.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transportation options for non-drivers.
Rising housing costs and property taxes driven by rapid population growth.
Cold and snowy winter conditions with average winter lows dropping to 15.3°F.
Traffic congestion along major commuter corridors during peak morning and evening hours.
Limited nightlife options compared to the nearby urban center of Des Moines.
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.
Ankeny
#6Iowa, USA
77.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
271/yr
Avg Temp
52.10°F
Pop. Growth
3.50%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
84
Business
78
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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