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Bologna vs Toledo

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

Emilia-Romagna, Italy
View Bologna profile
#51 in Italy
65
Overall Score
VS
Ohio, USA
View Toledo profile
#590 in USA
43
Overall Score
Bologna scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Bologna
Toledo
Livability
86
68
Affordability
68
85
Business
76
75
Growth
75
60

Cost of Living

Toledo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about 2% lower than in Bologna. Housing costs are a major driver: Bologna's average rent is 32% higher than Toledo's.
MetricBolognaToledoDiff
Average Rent
$1,250$950+32%
Groceries
$380$342+11%
Utilities
$190$295-36%
Transport
$45$180-75%
Healthcare
$150$200-25%
Monthly Total
$2,015$1,967+2%
Cost Index
8295out of 100

Salary & Income

Toledo offers 52% 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 Bologna is estimated at $30,000 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
MetricBolognaToledo
Average Salary
$34,000$71,000
Salary Needed
$30,000$52,000
Purchasing Power
41,463 idx74,737 idx
Household Income
$36,000$49,724

Climate Comparison

Bologna runs warmer on average — a 59.5°F difference year-round. For sunshine, Bologna comes out ahead with 261 more sunny days per year, which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle. Winter severity differs too — Bologna sees 0.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
MetricBolognaToledo
Avg Temp
59.50°F°F
Summer High
88.50°F°F
Winter Low
37.60°F°F
Rainfall
32.00 in in
Snowfall
0.60 in in
Sunny Days
261
Humidity
68.00%70.00%

Commute & Transport

Toledo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Bologna. Bologna scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Bologna leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricBolognaToledo
Commute Time
25 min20 min
Transit Score
72.0/10045.0/100
Walkability
85.0/10046.0/100
Traffic Index
52.0050.00
Car Dependency
LowHigh

Economy & Demographics

Bologna is the larger city — approximately 1.5x the population of Toledo. From a growth perspective, Bologna 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.
MetricBolognaToledo
Population
390,000267,463
Pop. Growth
0.50%—
Median Age
47.035.8
Unemployment
4.50%4.40%
GDP
——

Pros & Cons

Bologna
Advantages
Home to the University of Bologna, providing a vibrant intellectual and cultural atmosphere
World-renowned culinary capital offering exceptional local gastronomy and vibrant food markets
Strategic geographic location with a major high-speed railway hub connecting all of Italy
Extensive UNESCO-listed medieval porticos providing pedestrian cover across the historic center
Robust regional economy with low unemployment and strong advanced manufacturing sectors
Drawbacks
Competitive and increasingly expensive rental housing market driven by student and tourist demand
Strict traffic regulations (ZTL) and limited parking options within the historic city center
Summer temperatures can be humid and high due to the Po Valley basin geography
Bureaucratic administrative processes typical of major Italian municipal governance
High demand for property has pushed purchase prices upward across desirable central districts
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.

Bologna
#51
Emilia-Romagna, Italy
65.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$34,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
72.0/100
Walkability
85.0/100
Sunny Days
261/yr
Avg Temp
59.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
86
Business
76
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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