City Comparison
Hartford vs Toledo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hartford scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hartford
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Toledo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Hartford.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hartford's average rent is
63% higher than Toledo's.
| Metric | Hartford | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $950 | +63% |
| Groceries | $400 | $342 | +17% |
| Utilities | $180 | $295 | -39% |
| Transport | $90 | $180 | -50% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $200 | +15% |
| Monthly Total | $2,450 | $1,967 | +25% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Toledo offers 4% 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 Hartford is estimated at
$52,000 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Hartford | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,388 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $46,411 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Hartford runs warmer on average — a 51.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Hartford comes out ahead with 253 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Hartford sees 21.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hartford | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 21.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Toledo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Hartford.
Hartford scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hartford leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hartford | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 46.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toledo is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Hartford.
From a growth perspective, Hartford 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 | Hartford | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,981 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.28% | — |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hartford
Advantages
Average rent in Hartford runs roughly 22% lower than the national average per Zillow data.
Home to world-class cultural institutions like the Mark Twain House and Wadsworth Atheneum.
Robust regional healthcare infrastructure anchored by major teaching hospitals like Hartford Hospital.
Strategically located along the I-84 and I-91 corridors with rapid bus transit connectivity via CTfastrak.
Expansive urban green spaces including Bushnell Park and the Riverfront Recapture trail system.
Drawbacks
Poverty rate and median household income lag significantly behind statewide averages per U.S. Census data.
Certain neighborhoods experience elevated property and violent crime rates requiring targeted policing.
State and local property tax burdens can be high for property owners within city limits.
New England utility costs can place a heavy seasonal financial burden on household budgets.
Public school performance metrics within the urban district face ongoing systemic challenges.
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.
Hartford
#532Connecticut, USA
49.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
51.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.28%
Unemployment
4.80%
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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