City Comparison
Guelph vs Toledo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Guelph scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Guelph
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Toledo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Guelph.
Housing costs are a major driver: Guelph's average rent is
42% higher than Toledo's.
| Metric | Guelph | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $950 | +42% |
| Groceries | $400 | $342 | +17% |
| Utilities | $160 | $295 | -46% |
| Transport | $100 | $180 | -44% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $200 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,210 | $1,967 | +12% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Toledo offers 27% 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 Guelph is estimated at
$45,000 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Guelph | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 56,522 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $72,000 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Guelph runs warmer on average — a 45.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Guelph comes out ahead with 229 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Guelph sees 61.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Guelph | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 45.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 13.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 61.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 229 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Toledo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Guelph.
Guelph scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Guelph leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Guelph | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 46.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toledo is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Guelph.
From a growth perspective, Guelph 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 | Guelph | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,000 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | — |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Guelph
Advantages
Unemployment rate in Guelph consistently tracks below the national average per Statistics Canada 2025 data.
Consistently ranked among the safest mid-sized cities in Canada with low violent crime indexes.
Home to the internationally renowned University of Guelph, driving innovation, research, and cultural amenities.
Abundant green spaces, including over 1,000 hectares of parks and protected trails.
Strategic location within the Toronto-Waterloo innovation corridor offering robust economic connectivity.
Drawbacks
Housing and rental costs have risen significantly over recent years due to high regional demand.
Public transit coverage in newer suburban expansions can be less frequent, increasing car dependency.
Winter weather brings significant snowfall averaging over 60 inches, requiring robust municipal snow clearance.
Local rental vacancy rates remain tight, making the apartment hunting process highly competitive.
Traffic congestion during peak rush hours along major arteries like Highway 6 has increased with population growth.
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.
Guelph
#12Ontario, Canada
70.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
229/yr
Avg Temp
45.70°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
78
Business
70
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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