City Comparison
Dover vs Toledo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Dover scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dover
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Toledo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Dover.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dover's average rent is
53% higher than Toledo's.
| Metric | Dover | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $950 | +53% |
| Groceries | $420 | $342 | +23% |
| Utilities | $175 | $295 | -41% |
| Transport | $115 | $180 | -36% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $200 | +20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,400 | $1,967 | +22% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Toledo offers 14% 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 Dover is estimated at
$52,000 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Dover | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,542 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Dover runs warmer on average — a 56.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Dover comes out ahead with 253 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Dover sees 15.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dover | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 27.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 15.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | |
| Humidity | 66.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Toledo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Dover.
Toledo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dover leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dover | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 46.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toledo is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Dover.
From a growth perspective, Dover 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.
| Metric | Dover | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,403 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | — |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dover
Advantages
Median home prices in Dover remain significantly more affordable than the national average and northern Delaware markets per Zillow 2024 data.
Strategic location in central Delaware offers easy driving access to Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., and coastal beaches.
Rich historical heritage centered around the historic Dover Green and colonial-era architecture.
Delaware's favorable tax climate, including no state sales tax and low property taxes, benefits residents' overall cost of living.
Major community events such as NASCAR race weekends at Dover Motor Speedway bring vibrant entertainment and economic activity.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options outside of core bus routes are limited, making car ownership a necessity for most daily activities.
Certain urban neighborhoods experience higher property crime rates according to recent local police department reports.
Job market diversification outside of government, healthcare, and military sectors can be somewhat restricted.
Traffic congestion peaks significantly along Route 13 during major events and rush hours.
Limited high-end nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger nearby metropolitan areas.
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.
Dover
#439Delaware, USA
56.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
56.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
72
Business
67
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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