City Comparison
Toms River vs Toledo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Toms River scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Toms River
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Toledo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
49% lower than in Toms River.
Housing costs are a major driver: Toms River's average rent is
195% higher than Toledo's.
| Metric | Toms River | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,800 | $950 | +195% |
| Groceries | $460 | $342 | +35% |
| Utilities | $190 | $295 | -36% |
| Transport | $130 | $180 | -28% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $200 | +30% |
| Monthly Total | $3,840 | $1,967 | +95% |
| Cost Index | 115 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Toms River offers 1% higher 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 Toms River is estimated at
$65,000 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Toms River | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,609 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $99,547 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Toms River runs warmer on average — a 55.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Toms River comes out ahead with 243 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Toms River sees 13.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Toms River | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 41.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 13.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 243 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Toledo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Toms River.
Toledo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Toledo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Toms River | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 46.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toledo is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Toms River.
From a growth perspective, Toms River is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Toms River has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Toms River | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 101,621 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.72% | — |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Toms River
Advantages
Median household income is strong at approximately $99,547, outperforming national averages per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Proximity to the Jersey Shore provides unmatched access to beaches, boating, and coastal recreation.
High homeownership rate of over 81% reflects a stable, family-oriented community fabric.
Crime rates remain lower than the national average, ensuring safe neighborhoods across the township.
Extensive local parks, recreational programs, and community events enhance everyday lifestyle quality.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living and property taxes are significantly higher than the national median.
Heavy reliance on personal vehicles leads to seasonal traffic congestion along primary travel routes.
Average monthly rent prices exceed $2,800, creating affordability hurdles for prospective renters.
Summer tourism influx causes temporary crowding on local roadways and beaches.
Vulnerability to severe coastal weather events requires ongoing infrastructure and insurance considerations.
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.
Toms River
#357New Jersey, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,800
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
115
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
243/yr
Avg Temp
55.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.72%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
77
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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