City Comparison
Ensenada vs Toledo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ensenada scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ensenada
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ensenada is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
49% lower than in Toledo.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ensenada's average rent is
42% lower than Toledo's.
| Metric | Ensenada | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $547 | $950 | -42% |
| Groceries | $250 | $342 | -27% |
| Utilities | $110 | $295 | -63% |
| Transport | $95 | $180 | -47% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $200 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,002 | $1,967 | -49% |
| Cost Index | 70 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Toledo offers 81% 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 Ensenada is estimated at
$20,652 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Ensenada | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $13,314 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $20,652 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 19,020 idx | 74,737 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Ensenada runs warmer on average — a 62.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Ensenada comes out ahead with 327 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Ensenada sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ensenada | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 62.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 73.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 49.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 10.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 327 | |
| Humidity | 81.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Toledo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Ensenada.
Toledo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Ensenada leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Ensenada | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 70.0/100 | 46.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Ensenada is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Toledo.
From a growth perspective, Ensenada is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Ensenada has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Ensenada | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 368,000 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.68% | — |
| Median Age | 35.8 | |
| Unemployment | 2.70% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Ensenada
Advantages
Ensenada offers a significantly lower cost of living compared to Southern California, with affordable rent and daily expenses [2, 14].
The city boasts a world-class culinary scene, particularly renowned for its fresh seafood and as the birthplace of the fish taco [5, 14].
Its location provides a mild Mediterranean climate and proximity to the Pacific Ocean, ideal for outdoor activities and a relaxed lifestyle [6, 37].
Ensenada is a gateway to the Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico's premier wine region, offering extensive wine tasting and culinary experiences [5, 6, 37].
The city has a growing expat community and a welcoming, often bilingual, local population, facilitating integration for newcomers [4, 14, 31, 37].
Drawbacks
Infrastructure, particularly roads and traffic management, has not fully kept pace with the city's growth, leading to congestion and potholes [2, 10].
While generally safe in tourist areas, the state of Baja California has a Level 3 travel advisory, and localized crime, though not typically targeting tourists, requires awareness [16, 17].
Salaries in Ensenada can be considerably lower than in the U.S., making a comfortable lifestyle challenging for locals on average wages [2, 8].
Baja California faces water resource availability challenges, which can occasionally lead to supply interruptions for residents [14].
The city's character as a working port and industrial center means it may appear less manicured than some resort destinations, requiring a pragmatic approach to security and infrastructure [16, 23].
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.
Ensenada
#98Baja California, Mexico
74.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$547
Avg Salary
$13,314
Cost Index
70
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
70.0/100
Sunny Days
327/yr
Avg Temp
62.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.68%
Unemployment
2.70%
Livability
72
Business
68
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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