Performance
Score Breakdown
General Santos
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
General Santos is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
64% lower compared to Toledo.
Housing costs are a major driver: General Santos's average rent is
81% lower than Toledo's.
| Metric | General Santos | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $177 | $950 | -81% |
| Groceries | $300 | $342 | -12% |
| Utilities | $100 | $295 | -66% |
| Transport | $80 | $180 | -56% |
| Healthcare | $50 | $200 | -75% |
| Monthly Total | $707 | $1,967 | -64% |
| Cost Index | 35 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Toledo offers 90% 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 General Santos is estimated at
$14,400 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | General Santos | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $7,000 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $14,400 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 20,000 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $12,000 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | General Santos | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Toledo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,500 minutes (125 hours) per year compared to General Santos.
For walkability, General Santos leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | General Santos | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 35 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 55.0/10 | 46.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
General Santos is the larger city
— approximately 2.7x the population of Toledo.
From a growth perspective, General Santos 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 | General Santos | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 722,059 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.84% | % |
| Median Age | 24.0 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
General Santos
Advantages
Renowned as the "Tuna Capital of the Philippines," boasting a significant global presence in the fishing industry.
A major agricultural hub, producing a variety of export-quality goods and livestock.
Offers a relatively low cost of living, making it an affordable place to reside compared to other Philippine cities.
Serves as a key economic and industrial center, acting as a gateway to southern Mindanao.
Recognized for its well-planned urban layout, contributing to smoother traffic flow and efficient development.
Drawbacks
Susceptible to natural disasters, as evidenced by the mention of the 2026 Mindanao earthquake.
Faces traffic congestion in key areas, particularly during peak hours and market days.
Beaches in close proximity to the city are noted as not being ideal due to potential pollution.
While improving, high-skilled job opportunities may be less diverse compared to larger metropolitan centers.
Internet speeds, though improving with fiber optic availability, were historically noted as slow in some 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.
General Santos
#4Mindanao, Philippines
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$177
Avg Salary
$7,000
Cost Index
35
Commute
35 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.84%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
70
Business
65
Toledo
#92Ohio, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
46.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
68
Business
75
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