City Comparison
Brookhaven vs Toledo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Brookhaven scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Brookhaven
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Toledo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
34% lower than in Brookhaven.
Housing costs are a major driver: Brookhaven's average rent is
105% higher than Toledo's.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $950 | +105% |
| Groceries | $480 | $342 | +40% |
| Utilities | $175 | $295 | -41% |
| Transport | $130 | $180 | -28% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $200 | +20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,975 | $1,967 | +51% |
| Cost Index | 120 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Brookhaven offers 15% 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 Brookhaven is estimated at
$65,000 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,333 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $105,400 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Brookhaven runs warmer on average — a 63.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Brookhaven comes out ahead with 233 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Brookhaven sees 3.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 233 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Toledo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Brookhaven.
Brookhaven scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Brookhaven leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 46.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toledo is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Brookhaven.
From a growth perspective, Brookhaven is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Brookhaven has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Brookhaven | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,850 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | — |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Brookhaven
Advantages
Median household income exceeds $105,000, reflecting a prosperous and economically stable local population per U.S. Census data.
Direct access to Atlanta via two dedicated MARTA rapid transit rail stations within city limits.
Abundant public parks and green spaces, including the expansive Peachtree Creek Greenway and Murphey Candler Park.
Highly rated local dining, craft breweries, and vibrant community festivals throughout the year.
Proximity to major employment hubs like Buckhead, Perimeter Center, and Midtown Atlanta.
Drawbacks
Housing purchase prices and rental rates are significantly higher than the U.S. national average per Zillow housing market indices.
Heavy rush-hour traffic congestion along major corridors such as Peachtree Road and around I-85 interchanges.
Elevated property taxes driven by rising real estate valuations across DeKalb County.
Limited large-scale industrial employment base, making the economy heavily service- and retail-dependent.
Competitive real estate market with low inventory for prospective first-time homebuyers.
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.
Brookhaven
#268Georgia, USA
61.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
120
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
233/yr
Avg Temp
63.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
81
Business
75
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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