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Ketchikan vs Toledo

Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.

Alaska, USA
View Ketchikan profile
#362 in USA
60
Overall Score
VS
Ohio, USA
View Toledo profile
#590 in USA
43
Overall Score
Ketchikan scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Ketchikan
Toledo
Livability
76
68
Affordability
62
85
Business
67
75
Growth
68
60

Cost of Living

Toledo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about 18% lower than in Ketchikan. Housing costs are a major driver: Ketchikan's average rent is 46% higher than Toledo's.
MetricKetchikanToledoDiff
Average Rent
$1,389$950+46%
Groceries
$450$342+32%
Utilities
$180$295-39%
Transport
$120$180-33%
Healthcare
$250$200+25%
Monthly Total
$2,389$1,967+21%
Cost Index
12495out of 100

Salary & Income

Toledo offers 8% 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 Ketchikan is estimated at $55,000 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
MetricKetchikanToledo
Average Salary
$65,000$71,000
Salary Needed
$55,000$52,000
Purchasing Power
52,419 idx74,737 idx
Household Income
$85,275$49,724

Climate Comparison

Ketchikan runs warmer on average — a 45°F difference year-round. For sunshine, Ketchikan comes out ahead with 128 more sunny days per year, which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle. Winter severity differs too — Ketchikan sees 143.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
MetricKetchikanToledo
Avg Temp
45.00°F°F
Summer High
64.00°F°F
Winter Low
26.50°F°F
Rainfall
164.70 in in
Snowfall
143.40 in in
Sunny Days
128
Humidity
80.00%70.00%

Commute & Transport

Ketchikan has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Toledo. Ketchikan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Ketchikan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricKetchikanToledo
Commute Time
12 min20 min
Transit Score
52.0/10045.0/100
Walkability
65.0/10046.0/100
Traffic Index
35.0050.00
Car Dependency
MediumHigh

Economy & Demographics

Toledo is the larger city . From a growth perspective, Ketchikan is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Ketchikan has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricKetchikanToledo
Population
8,080267,463
Pop. Growth
——
Median Age
37.435.8
Unemployment
2.60%4.40%
GDP
——

Pros & Cons

Ketchikan
Advantages
Median home value is approximately $352,400, offering attainable homeownership compared to major West Coast metro areas per U.S. Census data.
Exceptional access to world-class sportfishing, hiking, and pristine wilderness right at your doorstep.
No state personal income tax and no statewide sales tax, helping offset high consumer goods costs.
Short average commute times of around 10 to 15 minutes, ensuring minimal daily traffic congestion.
Strong, close-knit community spirit with a vibrant local culture rooted in rich Alaska Native heritage.
Drawbacks
Extremely high annual rainfall of over 160 inches per year, requiring a tolerance for wet weather.
Geographic isolation means all goods and travel must rely on costly air or marine transportation.
Limited housing inventory restricts options and can drive up rental and purchase competition.
Seasonal economic swings driven by tourism can create employment and housing volatility.
Lack of road connection to the mainland means traveling off-island requires taking a ferry or airplane.
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.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Ketchikan
#362
Alaska, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,389
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
124
Commute
12 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
128/yr
Avg Temp
45.00°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.60%
Livability
76
Business
67
View Full Profile
Toledo
#590
Ohio, 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
View Full Profile

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