City Comparison
Parma vs Toledo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Parma scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Parma
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Toledo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Parma.
Housing costs are a major driver: Parma's average rent is
32% higher than Toledo's.
| Metric | Parma | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $950 | +32% |
| Groceries | $380 | $342 | +11% |
| Utilities | $175 | $295 | -41% |
| Transport | $110 | $180 | -39% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $200 | +15% |
| Monthly Total | $2,145 | $1,967 | +9% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Toledo offers 18% 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 Parma is estimated at
$48,000 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Parma | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,736 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $64,500 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Parma runs warmer on average — a 51.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Parma comes out ahead with 220 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Parma sees 39.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Parma | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 39.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 220 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Toledo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Parma.
Toledo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Parma leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Parma | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 46.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toledo is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Parma.
From a growth perspective, Parma is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Parma has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Parma | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 77,880 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 42.1 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Parma
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average per US Census data.
Proximity to downtown Cleveland offers easy access to major employment hubs, cultural institutions, and professional sports.
University Hospitals Parma Medical Center provides top-tier local healthcare and emergency services within city limits.
Extensive municipal park system featuring James Day Park offers robust recreational facilities and community programming.
Crime rates remain well below national averages for cities of comparable size, ensuring a secure suburban environment.
Drawbacks
High property tax rates in Cuyahoga County can offset some of the savings from lower home purchase prices.
Car dependency is high, with limited public transit options for those who prefer not to drive.
Aging housing stock often requires routine modernization and maintenance updates for older properties.
Cold, snowy winters with significant annual snowfall totals require regular winter weather preparedness.
Job growth within immediate city limits is moderate, requiring many residents to commute to surrounding areas for specialized careers.
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.
Parma
#164Ohio, USA
64.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
220/yr
Avg Temp
51.20°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
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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