City Comparison
Milwaukee vs Toledo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Milwaukee scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Milwaukee
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Toledo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Milwaukee.
Housing costs are a major driver: Milwaukee's average rent is
53% higher than Toledo's.
| Metric | Milwaukee | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $950 | +53% |
| Groceries | $400 | $342 | +17% |
| Utilities | $180 | $295 | -39% |
| Transport | $90 | $180 | -50% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $200 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,320 | $1,967 | +18% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
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 Milwaukee is estimated at
$52,000 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Milwaukee | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,149 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $62,000 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Milwaukee runs warmer on average — a 48.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Milwaukee comes out ahead with 262 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Milwaukee sees 29.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Milwaukee | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 15.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 29.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 262 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Milwaukee scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Milwaukee leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Milwaukee | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 61.0/100 | 46.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Milwaukee is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x the population of Toledo.
From a growth perspective, Milwaukee is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Milwaukee | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,000 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | — |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Milwaukee
Advantages
Median home prices remain significantly lower than the national average per Zillow data.
Thriving cultural scene featuring numerous summer festivals and world-class museums.
Robust healthcare infrastructure anchored by major medical centers like Froedtert Hospital.
Shorter average commute times of around 22 minutes compared to most major US metropolitan areas.
Scenic lakefront access with miles of public parks, beaches, and recreational trails.
Drawbacks
Winters feature cold temperatures and notable snowfall averaging around 29.1 inches annually.
Property tax rates in Wisconsin can place a heavier tax burden on homeowners.
Public transit scores trail behind larger transit-heavy metros, making cars helpful for daily transit.
Certain urban neighborhoods experience higher-than-average crime rates requiring vigilant safety awareness.
State income tax brackets can be relatively high for middle- and upper-income earners.
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.
Milwaukee
#376Wisconsin, USA
59.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
94
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
61.0/100
Sunny Days
262/yr
Avg Temp
48.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
75
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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