City Comparison
Clearwater vs Toledo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Clearwater scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Clearwater
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Toledo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
27% lower than in Clearwater.
Housing costs are a major driver: Clearwater's average rent is
84% higher than Toledo's.
| Metric | Clearwater | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $950 | +84% |
| Groceries | $420 | $342 | +23% |
| Utilities | $175 | $295 | -41% |
| Transport | $115 | $180 | -36% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $200 | +20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,700 | $1,967 | +37% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Toledo offers 11% 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 Clearwater is estimated at
$54,000 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Clearwater | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,000 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $54,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,765 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $65,400 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Clearwater runs warmer on average — a 73.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Clearwater comes out ahead with 231 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Clearwater sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Clearwater | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 73.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 88.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 54.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 231 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Toledo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Clearwater.
For walkability, Clearwater leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Clearwater | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 46.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toledo is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Clearwater.
From a growth perspective, Clearwater is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Clearwater | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,292 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Clearwater
Advantages
Home to Clearwater Beach, consistently ranked among the top beaches in the United States by TripAdvisor.
Abundant sunshine averaging 231 sunny days per year with warm winters averaging a low of 54.1°F.
World-class healthcare access anchored by Morton Plant Hospital and the extensive BayCare Health System.
No state personal income tax in Florida, providing financial relief for residents and retirees.
Vibrant outdoor lifestyle with extensive opportunities for boating, fishing, and park recreation.
Drawbacks
High homeowners insurance rates and vulnerability to tropical storms and hurricanes along the coast.
Significant seasonal traffic congestion, particularly along routes leading to Clearwater Beach.
Higher-than-average housing and rental costs driven by strong coastal real estate demand.
High reliance on automobile transportation with limited heavy rail public transit options.
Summer heat and humidity can be intense during peak months from June through September.
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.
Clearwater
#350Florida, USA
59.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$63,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
231/yr
Avg Temp
73.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
76
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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