City Comparison
Lorain vs Toledo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lorain scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lorain
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lorain is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Toledo.
| Metric | Lorain | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $950 | 0% |
| Groceries | $380 | $342 | +11% |
| Utilities | $170 | $295 | -42% |
| Transport | $110 | $180 | -39% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $200 | +15% |
| Monthly Total | $1,840 | $1,967 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 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 Lorain is estimated at
$45,000 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Lorain | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,176 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $48,500 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lorain runs warmer on average — a 51.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lorain comes out ahead with 220 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lorain sees 39.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lorain | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 43.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 39.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 220 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Toledo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Lorain.
Toledo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lorain leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lorain | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 46.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toledo is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Lorain.
From a growth perspective, Lorain 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 | Lorain | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 35,886 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lorain
Advantages
Median home prices in Lorain are significantly lower than the national average per Zillow 2024 data.
Proximity to Lake Erie offers abundant recreational boating, fishing, and waterfront park access.
Rich cultural diversity highlighted by community festivals, authentic local eateries, and historic neighborhoods.
Convenient commuting distance to the broader Cleveland metropolitan job and entertainment market.
Lower overall cost of living index allows residents to stretch household budgets further.
Drawbacks
Overall crime rates in certain urban neighborhoods exceed the national median per FBI crime statistics.
Northeast Ohio winters bring heavy snowfall and cold temperatures that require winter preparedness.
Property tax rates in the region can be relatively high compared to the low initial home purchase price.
Job growth within city limits has historically lagged behind high-growth tech hubs.
Public transit options are limited compared to major metropolitan transit systems, increasing car dependency.
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.
Lorain
#480Ohio, USA
53.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
220/yr
Avg Temp
51.80°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
66
Business
60
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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