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Zacatecas vs Toledo

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

Zacatecas, Mexico
View Zacatecas profile
#138 in Mexico
73
Overall Score
VS
Ohio, USA
View Toledo profile
#590 in USA
43
Overall Score
Zacatecas scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Zacatecas
Toledo
Livability
70
68
Affordability
85
85
Business
62
75
Growth
65
60

Cost of Living

Zacatecas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about 62% lower than in Toledo. Housing costs are a major driver: Zacatecas's average rent is 63% lower than Toledo's.
MetricZacatecasToledoDiff
Average Rent
$350$950-63%
Groceries
$200$342-42%
Utilities
$65$295-78%
Transport
$50$180-72%
Healthcare
$80$200-60%
Monthly Total
$745$1,967-62%
Cost Index
3895out of 100

Salary & Income

Toledo offers 86% 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 Zacatecas is estimated at $8,000 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
MetricZacatecasToledo
Average Salary
$9,600$71,000
Salary Needed
$8,000$52,000
Purchasing Power
25,263 idx74,737 idx
Household Income
$11,000$49,724

Climate Comparison

Zacatecas runs warmer on average — a 61.4°F difference year-round. For sunshine, Zacatecas comes out ahead with 269 more sunny days per year, which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle. Winter severity differs too — Zacatecas sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
MetricZacatecasToledo
Avg Temp
61.40°F°F
Summer High
73.40°F°F
Winter Low
45.60°F°F
Rainfall
24.30 in in
Snowfall
0.00 in in
Sunny Days
269
Humidity
55.00%70.00%

Commute & Transport

Toledo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Zacatecas. Zacatecas scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Zacatecas leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricZacatecasToledo
Commute Time
25 min20 min
Transit Score
58.0/10045.0/100
Walkability
62.0/10046.0/100
Traffic Index
42.0050.00
Car Dependency
MediumHigh

Economy & Demographics

Toledo is the larger city — approximately 0.6x the population of Zacatecas. From a growth perspective, Zacatecas is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Zacatecas has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricZacatecasToledo
Population
148,500267,463
Pop. Growth
1.10%—
Median Age
30.035.8
Unemployment
3.50%4.40%
GDP
——

Pros & Cons

Zacatecas
Advantages
Exceptional affordability with average monthly rents for a 1-bedroom apartment hovering around $350 USD.
Stunning UNESCO World Heritage colonial architecture and rich cultural heritage.
Mild summer temperatures with an average high of 73.4°F per Open-Meteo climate data.
Vibrant local arts and museum scene, featuring world-class collections like the Pedro Coronel Museum.
Strategic location in north-central Mexico with accessible connectivity to major regional hubs.
Drawbacks
Cool winter lows averaging 45.6°F, with many historic homes lacking central heating.
Regional security concerns in the broader state of Zacatecas affecting travel perception.
Limited high-paying local job opportunities outside of mining, government, and education.
Hilly, steep terrain and narrow cobblestone streets present mobility challenges for pedestrians.
Specialized medical care requires travel to larger metropolitan medical centers.
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.

Zacatecas
#138
Zacatecas, Mexico
72.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$9,600
Cost Index
38
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
269/yr
Avg Temp
61.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
70
Business
62
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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