Performance
Score Breakdown
Zhaotong
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Zhaotong is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
59% lower compared to Toledo.
Housing costs are a major driver: Zhaotong's average rent is
71% lower than Toledo's.
| Metric | Zhaotong | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $273 | $950 | -71% |
| Groceries | $300 | $342 | -12% |
| Utilities | $80 | $295 | -73% |
| Transport | $50 | $180 | -72% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $200 | -50% |
| Monthly Total | $803 | $1,967 | -59% |
| Cost Index | 32 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Toledo offers 84% 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 Zhaotong is estimated at
$9,636 vs $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Zhaotong | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $11,172 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $9,636 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 34,913 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $15,000 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Zhaotong | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Toledo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Zhaotong.
Zhaotong scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Zhaotong leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Zhaotong | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 60.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 65.0/10 | 46.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Zhaotong is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Toledo.
From a growth perspective, Zhaotong 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 | Zhaotong | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,000 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.09% | % |
| Median Age | 35.8 | |
| Unemployment | 5.50% | 4.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Zhaotong
Advantages
Very low cost of living, with average monthly expenses for an individual around $618.
Affordable rental market, with a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costing approximately $273 per month.
Rich agricultural sector, being China's largest high-quality apple production base in the south.
Extensive public bus network providing affordable city transit.
Generally safe environment for residents and travelers.
Drawbacks
Average salaries are significantly lower than national urban averages, with a median after-tax monthly salary of $931.
Lack of a metro or tram system, relying solely on buses for public transit.
Traffic congestion can be heavy on busy main roads.
Limited specific city-level data for various economic and demographic metrics, indicating less developed data infrastructure.
No direct data available for median age, making demographic analysis less complete.
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.
Zhaotong
#14Yunnan, China
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$273
Avg Salary
$11,172
Cost Index
32
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
60.0/10
Walkability
65.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.09%
Unemployment
5.50%
Livability
70
Business
60
Toledo
#92Ohio, 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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