Performance
Score Breakdown
Messina
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Messina is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
32% lower compared to Toledo.
Housing costs are a major driver: Messina's average rent is
42% lower than Toledo's.
| Metric | Messina | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $555 | $950 | -42% |
| Groceries | $400 | $342 | +17% |
| Utilities | $189 | $295 | -36% |
| Transport | $44 | $180 | -76% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $200 | -25% |
| Monthly Total | $1,338 | $1,967 | -32% |
| Cost Index | 74 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Toledo offers 69% 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 Messina is estimated at
$16,512 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Messina | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $21,984 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $16,512 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 29,708 idx | 74,737 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Messina | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Messina has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
10,000 minutes (167 hours) per year compared to Toledo.
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 | Messina | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 46.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toledo is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Messina.
From a growth perspective, Messina 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 | Messina | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 215,849 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 48.6 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 12.20% | 4.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Messina
Advantages
Messina's cost of living is 13.9% cheaper than Italy overall, making it a relatively affordable city.
The average price for residential rental properties in Messina increased by 7.68% in June 2026 compared to June 2025, indicating a growing rental market.
Tourism, hospitality, and restaurant sectors in Sicily are expected to absorb over 20,000 new workers between July and September 2026, suggesting job opportunities in these areas.
Messina's strategic location as a port city and gateway to mainland Italy provides significant trade and transport advantages.
The city benefits from substantial EU funding for port expansion, upgrades, and public transport, indicating ongoing investment in infrastructure.
Drawbacks
Messina's population is estimated to be declining, with a -0.49% annual decrease in 2026.
The regional unemployment rate in Sicily was 12.2% in 2025, which is higher than the national average of 6.1%.
The median after-tax salary in Messina is $1,832 per month, which may be challenging to cover living expenses for more than 1.5 months.
While tourism is growing, there are concerns about precarious work and labor law irregularities in the Sicilian hospitality sector.
The median age in Italy is 48.6 years, suggesting a potentially aging population in Messina, which could impact future workforce dynamics.
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.
Messina
#6Sicily, Italy
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$555
Avg Salary
$21,984
Cost Index
74
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
12.20%
Livability
72
Business
65
Toledo
#76Ohio, 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
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