Performance
Score Breakdown
St. Louis
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Toledo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
21% higher compared to St. Louis.
Housing costs are a major driver: St. Louis's average rent is
51% higher than Toledo's.
| Metric | St. Louis | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,439 | $950 | +51% |
| Groceries | $385 | $342 | +13% |
| Utilities | $195 | $295 | -34% |
| Transport | $120 | $180 | -33% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $200 | +25% |
| Monthly Total | $2,389 | $1,967 | +21% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Toledo offers 37% 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 St. Louis is estimated at
$55,000 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | St. Louis | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 50,562 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $56,160 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | St. Louis | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 69.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Toledo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to St. Louis.
St. Louis scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, St. Louis leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | St. Louis | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 55.0/10 | 46.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
St. Louis is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, St. Louis is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | St. Louis | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 273,179 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 4.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
St. Louis
Advantages
The average rent in St. Louis is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to live.
Housing costs, including median home prices, are considerably below the national average.
St. Louis offers numerous free cultural attractions, such as the Saint Louis Zoo, Art Museum, and Gateway Arch grounds.
The city has a strong presence of major academic health systems and a well-established medical corridor, contributing to quality healthcare.
Investments are being made in improving bike infrastructure, including new protected bike lanes and greenways.
Drawbacks
St. Louis city has experienced a declining population, with an estimated annual decrease of -1.79% in 2026.
The city has a high crime rate, particularly violent crime, which is significantly above the national average.
Summers in St. Louis are characterized by intense heat and high humidity.
A high percentage of city residents (21.7%) live below the poverty line, indicating significant economic disparities.
St. Louis exhibits high car dependency, with nearly 90% of commuters using a car for work or school.
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.
St. Louis
#94Missouri, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,439
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
60
Business
68
Toledo
#69Ohio, 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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