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Monterrey vs Toledo

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

Nuevo León, Mexico
View Monterrey profile
#5 in Mexico
82
Overall Score
VS
Ohio, USA
View Toledo profile
#590 in USA
43
Overall Score
Monterrey scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Monterrey
Toledo
Livability
74
68
Affordability
62
85
Business
82
75
Growth
85
60

Cost of Living

Monterrey is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about 19% lower than in Toledo.
MetricMonterreyToledoDiff
Average Rent
$950$9500%
Groceries
$320$342-6%
Utilities
$110$295-63%
Transport
$75$180-58%
Healthcare
$140$200-30%
Monthly Total
$1,595$1,967-19%
Cost Index
5295out of 100

Salary & Income

Toledo offers 80% 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 Monterrey is estimated at $12,000 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
MetricMonterreyToledo
Average Salary
$14,500$71,000
Salary Needed
$12,000$52,000
Purchasing Power
27,885 idx74,737 idx
Household Income
$18,500$49,724

Climate Comparison

Monterrey runs warmer on average — a 73.1°F difference year-round. For sunshine, Monterrey comes out ahead with 284 more sunny days per year, which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle. Winter severity differs too — Monterrey sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
MetricMonterreyToledo
Avg Temp
73.10°F°F
Summer High
92.70°F°F
Winter Low
48.50°F°F
Rainfall
17.90 in in
Snowfall
0.00 in in
Sunny Days
284
Humidity
58.00%70.00%

Commute & Transport

Toledo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 7,500 minutes (125 hours) per year compared to Monterrey. Monterrey scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Monterrey leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricMonterreyToledo
Commute Time
35 min20 min
Transit Score
52.0/10045.0/100
Walkability
55.0/10046.0/100
Traffic Index
65.0050.00
Car Dependency
HighHigh

Economy & Demographics

Monterrey is the larger city — approximately 4.3x the population of Toledo. From a growth perspective, Monterrey is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Monterrey has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricMonterreyToledo
Population
1,142,994267,463
Pop. Growth
1.40%—
Median Age
31.035.8
Unemployment
3.20%4.40%
GDP
——

Pros & Cons

Monterrey
Advantages
Leading industrial and manufacturing hub in Mexico with exceptional career opportunities in engineering and corporate management
Home to world-class private healthcare facilities and internationally accredited hospitals attracting medical tourists
Proximity to dramatic natural landscapes including Chipinque Ecological Park and the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains
Presence of top-tier educational institutions like the Tecnológico de Monterrey fostering innovation and startup ecosystems
High standard of living and modern commercial infrastructure in premier districts like San Pedro Garza García
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing prices compared to the national Mexican average
Heavy reliance on automobiles leading to notable traffic congestion during peak hours
Extreme summer high temperatures averaging 92.7°F that can strain municipal water and energy resources
Limited annual rainfall of 17.9 inches presenting periodic regional water scarcity challenges
Urban sprawl creating disparate walkability and transit access across suburban municipalities
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.

Monterrey
#5
Nuevo León, Mexico
82.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$14,500
Cost Index
52
Commute
35 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
284/yr
Avg Temp
73.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
74
Business
82
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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