City Comparison
Fort Wayne vs Toledo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fort Wayne scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fort Wayne
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Toledo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Fort Wayne.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fort Wayne's average rent is
21% higher than Toledo's.
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $950 | +21% |
| Groceries | $380 | $342 | +11% |
| Utilities | $175 | $295 | -41% |
| Transport | $110 | $180 | -39% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $200 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,025 | $1,967 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Toledo offers 18% 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 Fort Wayne is estimated at
$48,000 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,444 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $64,500 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fort Wayne runs warmer on average — a 51.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fort Wayne comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fort Wayne sees 24.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 31.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 24.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Toledo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Toledo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 46.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fort Wayne is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Toledo.
From a growth perspective, Fort Wayne is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 312,688 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fort Wayne
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain well below the national average per US Census and Zillow data.
A nationally recognized riverfront development and extensive park system offer exceptional outdoor recreation.
A robust regional healthcare sector provides world-class medical facilities and abundant employment opportunities.
Short average commute times reduce daily transit friction compared to larger metropolitan areas.
A thriving local arts, culture, and minor league sports scene provides diverse entertainment options.
Drawbacks
High car dependency makes efficient navigation difficult for non-drivers outside the core downtown area.
Certain urban neighborhoods face persistent property and violent crime challenges.
Public transit options are limited in frequency and geographic coverage compared to peer transit-heavy cities.
Winters can be cold and grey, with significant snowfall limiting outdoor activities for parts of the year.
Averaged local wages trail national coastal medians, though balanced by lower living costs.
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.
Fort Wayne
#194Indiana, USA
63.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
90
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
51.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
78
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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