Performance
Score Breakdown
Toledo
Lincoln
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Toledo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
85% lower compared to Lincoln.
Housing costs are a major driver: Toledo's average rent is
30% lower than Lincoln's.
| Metric | Toledo | Lincoln | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,363 | -30% |
| Groceries | $342 | $400 | -15% |
| Utilities | $295 | $260 | +14% |
| Transport | $180 | $1,200 | -85% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $9,572 | -98% |
| Monthly Total | $1,967 | $12,795 | -85% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lincoln offers 1% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lincoln delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Toledo is estimated at
$52,000 vs $52,000 in Lincoln.
| Metric | Toledo | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $71,867 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 74,737 idx | 76,454 idx |
| Household Income | $49,724 | $71,867 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Toledo | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Toledo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lincoln leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Toledo | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 46.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lincoln is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Toledo.
From a growth perspective, Lincoln is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Toledo | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 267,463 | 303,375 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.61% |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.40% | 2.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $150.9B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Lincoln
Advantages
Lincoln's cost of living is approximately 6% lower than the national average, driven by more affordable housing and utilities.
The city boasts a low unemployment rate of 2.6% as of May 2026, significantly lower than the national average.
Lincoln has a shorter average commute time of 19.5 minutes, saving residents time compared to the national average.
The city is recognized for its exceptional public safety, with Part 1 crime reaching a 25-year low in 2025.
Over 40% of adults in Lincoln have a bachelor's degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Drawbacks
While overall cost of living is lower, healthcare costs in Lincoln are about 3% higher than the U.S. average.
Lincoln's employment and wage growth rates have been nearly identical to Omaha's, which have been slower than comparable cities.
Public transportation options, while affordable, have a limited reach around the city.
The state of Nebraska, including Lincoln, has experienced low population and labor force growth due to people relocating to other states.
Some goods and services in Lincoln are approximately 4% pricier than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Toledo
#65Ohio, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
46.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
68
Business
75
Lincoln
#21Nebraska, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,363
Avg Salary
$71,867
Cost Index
94
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.61%
Unemployment
2.60%
Livability
74
Business
68
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