City Comparison
Des Plaines vs Toledo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Des Plaines scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Des Plaines
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Toledo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in Des Plaines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Des Plaines's average rent is
74% higher than Toledo's.
| Metric | Des Plaines | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $950 | +74% |
| Groceries | $420 | $342 | +23% |
| Utilities | $175 | $295 | -41% |
| Transport | $110 | $180 | -39% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $200 | +20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,595 | $1,967 | +32% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Des Plaines offers 4% 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 Des Plaines is estimated at
$58,000 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Des Plaines | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 71,154 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $82,500 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Des Plaines runs warmer on average — a 51°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Des Plaines comes out ahead with 247 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Des Plaines sees 28.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Des Plaines | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 36.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 28.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 247 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Toledo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Des Plaines.
Des Plaines scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Des Plaines leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Des Plaines | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 46.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toledo is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Des Plaines.
From a growth perspective, Des Plaines is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Des Plaines has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Des Plaines | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,653 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | — |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Des Plaines
Advantages
Exceptional commuter access via the Metra Union Pacific Northwest line providing direct service to downtown Chicago
Immediate proximity to O'Hare International Airport, making air travel and logistics highly convenient
Robust parks and recreation system featuring the scenic Des Plaines River Trail and numerous community facilities
Strong local safety profile with violent and property crime rates consistently below the national average
Vibrant and diverse dining and entertainment scene centered around the revitalized downtown district
Drawbacks
Higher-than-average property taxes characteristic of the greater Chicago metropolitan region
Competitive housing market with rising purchase prices limiting options for first-time buyers
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along major thoroughfares and interstate ramps
Cold and snowy winter conditions requiring dedicated seasonal maintenance and snow removal
Aircraft noise in certain neighborhoods due to proximity to O'Hare International Airport flight paths
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.
Des Plaines
#264Illinois, USA
62.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
104
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
247/yr
Avg Temp
51.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
77
Business
72
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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