City Comparison
Butte vs Toledo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Butte scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Butte
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Butte is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Toledo.
| Metric | Butte | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $950 | 0% |
| Groceries | $380 | $342 | +11% |
| Utilities | $175 | $295 | -41% |
| Transport | $115 | $180 | -36% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $200 | +15% |
| Monthly Total | $1,850 | $1,967 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Toledo offers 24% 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 Butte is estimated at
$48,000 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Butte | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,696 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $56,500 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Butte runs warmer on average — a 42.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Butte comes out ahead with 270 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Butte sees 56.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Butte | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 42.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 12.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 15.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 56.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Butte has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Toledo.
Toledo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Butte leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Butte | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 46.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toledo is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Butte.
From a growth perspective, Butte is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Butte has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Butte | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,493 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Butte
Advantages
Median home prices remain significantly lower than the national average per recent housing data.
Exceptional access to world-class outdoor recreation, including skiing, fishing, and hiking.
Rich cultural heritage highlighted by annual events like the Montana Folk Festival.
Strong local economy anchored by education, healthcare, and mining services.
Tight-knit, welcoming community with a distinct historical character.
Drawbacks
Severe winter weather with heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures can challenge daily commutes.
Limited public transportation options necessitate high car dependency.
Local wages often lag behind fast-growing metropolitan areas in the state.
Historic housing stock may require significant maintenance and renovation investments.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger cities.
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.
Butte
#348Montana, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
42.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
75
Business
66
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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