City Comparison
Apple Valley vs Toledo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Apple Valley scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Apple Valley
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Toledo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
25% lower than in Apple Valley.
Housing costs are a major driver: Apple Valley's average rent is
74% higher than Toledo's.
| Metric | Apple Valley | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $950 | +74% |
| Groceries | $420 | $342 | +23% |
| Utilities | $175 | $295 | -41% |
| Transport | $130 | $180 | -28% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $200 | +20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,615 | $1,967 | +33% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Apple Valley offers 1% higher 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 Apple Valley is estimated at
$58,000 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Apple Valley | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $104,500 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Apple Valley runs warmer on average — a 46.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Apple Valley comes out ahead with 256 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Apple Valley sees 32.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Apple Valley | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 7.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 32.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 256 | |
| Humidity | 66.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Toledo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Apple Valley.
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 | Apple Valley | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 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 0.2x the population of Apple Valley.
From a growth perspective, Apple Valley is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Apple Valley has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Apple Valley | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,389 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Apple Valley
Advantages
Median household income exceeds $104,000, supporting a strong local economy per Census Bureau data (2024).
Consistently low crime rates make Apple Valley one of the safest suburbs in the Twin Cities metro area.
Home to the nationally renowned Minnesota Zoo, offering exceptional family entertainment locally.
Over 50 municipal parks and extensive trail networks provide outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities.
Highly rated local school district (ISD 196) attracts families seeking top-tier education.
Drawbacks
High housing costs and competitive real estate market limit affordability for first-time buyers per Zillow (2025).
Significant car dependency with limited public transit options outside of peak commuter bus routes.
Cold winter temperatures with frequent snowfall require high winter maintenance and heating costs.
Property taxes in Dakota County can be relatively high compared to national averages.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options within city limits require travel to Minneapolis or St. Paul.
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.
Apple Valley
#131Minnesota, USA
65.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
256/yr
Avg Temp
46.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
80
Business
70
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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