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Blenheim vs Toledo

Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.

Blenheim, New Zealand
View Blenheim profile
#18 in New Zealand
66
Overall Score
VS
Ohio, USA
View Toledo profile
#590 in USA
43
Overall Score
Blenheim scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Blenheim
Toledo
Livability
76
68
Affordability
70
85
Business
68
75
Growth
71
60

Cost of Living

Toledo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about 5% lower than in Blenheim. Housing costs are a major driver: Blenheim's average rent is 21% higher than Toledo's.
MetricBlenheimToledoDiff
Average Rent
$1,150$950+21%
Groceries
$420$342+23%
Utilities
$180$295-39%
Transport
$110$180-39%
Healthcare
$220$200+10%
Monthly Total
$2,080$1,967+6%
Cost Index
9295out of 100

Salary & Income

Toledo offers 13% 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 Blenheim is estimated at $52,000 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
MetricBlenheimToledo
Average Salary
$62,000$71,000
Salary Needed
$52,000$52,000
Purchasing Power
67,391 idx74,737 idx
Household Income
$78,100$49,724

Climate Comparison

Blenheim runs warmer on average — a 55.8°F difference year-round. For sunshine, Blenheim comes out ahead with 259 more sunny days per year, which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle. Winter severity differs too — Blenheim sees 0.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
MetricBlenheimToledo
Avg Temp
55.80°F°F
Summer High
55.20°F°F
Winter Low
53.90°F°F
Rainfall
39.60 in in
Snowfall
0.30 in in
Sunny Days
259
Humidity
65.00%70.00%

Commute & Transport

Blenheim has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Toledo. For walkability, Blenheim leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricBlenheimToledo
Commute Time
16 min20 min
Transit Score
45.0/10045.0/100
Walkability
62.0/10046.0/100
Traffic Index
38.0050.00
Car Dependency
HighHigh

Economy & Demographics

Toledo is the larger city — approximately 0.1x the population of Blenheim. From a growth perspective, Blenheim 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.
MetricBlenheimToledo
Population
29,800267,463
Pop. Growth
0.90%—
Median Age
41.035.8
Unemployment
4.50%4.40%
GDP
——

Pros & Cons

Blenheim
Advantages
Enjoy one of New Zealand's highest annual sunshine totals, averaging 259 sunny days per year.
Positioned at the heart of New Zealand's premier wine and viticulture region, offering world-class food and wine experiences.
Median home prices and rental costs remain significantly more affordable than in Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch.
Proximity to the stunning Marlborough Sounds provides unparalleled access to boating, fishing, and coastal recreation.
Low crime rates and safe, family-friendly neighborhoods create an exceptionally secure living environment.
Drawbacks
High car dependency due to limited public transportation infrastructure outside the immediate town center.
Seasonal employment fluctuations in viticulture can create transient labor shifts and rental market crunches during harvest.
Limited local options for specialized higher education and advanced career training compared to major metros.
Summer drought conditions and water restrictions can occasionally impact gardening and local agriculture.
Distance from major metropolitan tertiary hospitals requires travel for specialized medical procedures.
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.

Blenheim
#18
Blenheim, New Zealand
66.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
259/yr
Avg Temp
55.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
76
Business
68
View Full Profile
Toledo
#590
Ohio, 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
View Full Profile

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