City Comparison
Wilmington vs Toledo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wilmington scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Wilmington
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Toledo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Wilmington.
Housing costs are a major driver: Wilmington's average rent is
48% higher than Toledo's.
| Metric | Wilmington | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,410 | $950 | +48% |
| Groceries | $400 | $342 | +17% |
| Utilities | $180 | $295 | -39% |
| Transport | $90 | $180 | -50% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $200 | +10% |
| Monthly Total | $2,300 | $1,967 | +17% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wilmington offers 8% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Wilmington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Wilmington is estimated at
$55,000 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Wilmington | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,681 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 80,717 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $58,671 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Wilmington runs warmer on average — a 55.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Wilmington comes out ahead with 255 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Wilmington sees 13.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wilmington | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 25.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 13.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Wilmington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Wilmington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Wilmington | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 46.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toledo is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Wilmington.
From a growth perspective, Wilmington 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 | Wilmington | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 73,179 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.78% | — |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 4.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Wilmington
Advantages
Strategic East Coast location with direct Amtrak and I-95 access to Philadelphia, NYC, and D.C.
Zero state retail sales tax, lowering everyday purchase costs for consumers
Thriving hub for legal, financial services, and corporate headquarters
Vibrant Riverfront district offering dining, entertainment, and cultural attractions
Average rent and overall cost of living sit below the national average
Drawbacks
Property and violent crime rates in certain urban pockets exceed the national average
Poverty rate in the city limits remains notably higher than the broader suburban county
State and local income tax structures can feel heavy for middle-income earners
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along I-95 can be frustrating
Historic housing stock often requires significant maintenance and modernization costs
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.
Wilmington
#506Delaware, USA
52.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$76,681
Cost Index
95
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
55.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.78%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
72
Business
75
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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