Sample data. These scores are illustrative placeholders, not real measurements — live scores arrive when the data pipeline runs.
Where Toledo lands on the scale
Every city is graded on the same 0–100 Fun Score, split into five bands from quiet to exceptional — here is where Toledo sits.
How the Fun Score adds up
The Fun Score is one number with two halves — 16 things that make Toledo fun, minus 7 that wear it down. Here is the arithmetic.
16 things that lift the score, blended onto 0–100
7 things that wear it down, blended onto 0–100
- Fun factors lift it
- –
- Drawbacks pull it down
- –
- Raw composite
- –
- Fun Score placed on the published 0–100 scale
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Only 40% of the drawback total is subtracted — even a great city can carry a few flaws. Every factor below spells its contribution out as an equation — score times weight. Those 23 contributions are the building blocks behind the two totals above (each is rounded for display).
The Fun breakdown
Every factor is scored 0–100 against the other cities in the index.
Toledo's strongest factors are Sports, Walkability and Unique Hangouts. Its heaviest drawbacks are Economic Strain, Air Quality and Crime.
On every bar, the marker shows the typical city — the median score across the whole index.
What lifts the score
- Eats –
Restaurants, food halls and the depth of the dining scene.
Measured from OpenStreetMap restaurant counts, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality.
- Drinks –
Bars, breweries, cocktail rooms and the nightlife spread.
Measured from OpenStreetMap bars, pubs, nightclubs and craft breweries/distilleries, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality.
- Coffee –
Cafés and the strength of the third-place coffee culture.
Measured from OpenStreetMap café counts, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality.
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Music venues and how often live shows actually happen.
Measured from Ticketmaster and SeatGeek show listings, plus OpenStreetMap music venues.
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Notable people the city is known for, plus headliner acts that tour through.
Measured from SeatGeek headliner popularity and Wikidata notable residents (rank-blended).
- Outdoors –
Parks, beaches and easy access to nature.
Measured from OpenStreetMap parks, nature reserves, playgrounds and beaches, plus National Park Service units and Recreation.gov federal facilities.
- Culture –
Museums, theatres, galleries and arts institutions.
Measured from OpenStreetMap museums, galleries and theatres plus geo-tagged Wikipedia landmarks, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality.
- Events –
Festivals, fairs and a packed year-round events calendar.
Measured from Ticketmaster and SeatGeek festivals, fairs and ticketed events.
- Sports –
Pro and college teams and the game-day energy around them.
Measured from Ticketmaster and SeatGeek pro and college games, plus OpenStreetMap stadiums, sports centres and fitness centres.
-
Escape rooms, arcades, trampoline parks and karaoke spots.
Measured from OpenStreetMap escape rooms, arcades, trampoline parks and karaoke venues, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality.
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How much the city is talked about and searched for — news and search attention.
Measured from GDELT news tone and Google Trends search interest (each percentile-ranked, then averaged).
- Climate –
How often the weather is good enough to get outside.
Measured from NOAA climate normals — counts of comfortable days.
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How well a person without a car can move around the city.
Measured from GTFS schedules via Transit.land, the Federal Transit Administration National Transit Database and US Census ACS B08301 commuter mode share.
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Density of fun within walking distance — sidewalks, intersections, mixed-use blocks.
Measured from EPA National Walkability Index (block-group resolution, population-weighted to the city).
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Density of college and university students — the engine behind a college town.
Measured from NCES Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) full-time-equivalent enrollment and US Census ACS age cohort data.
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Protected bike lanes and a working public bikeshare system.
Measured from OpenStreetMap protected cycleway segments and the MobilityData GBFS bikeshare-feed catalog.
What weighs it down
- Crime –
Reported violent and property crime rates.
Measured from FBI Crime Data Explorer and city open-data crime portals.
- Traffic –
Congestion and the time lost to commuting.
Measured from US Census commute-time data (ACS).
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Recent particulate matter and ozone levels — a trailing-week air-quality average.
Measured from EPA AirNow and OpenAQ pollution readings (seven-day trailing average).
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Exposure to natural hazards and severe events.
Measured from FEMA National Risk Index.
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Punishing heat, cold and storm extremes.
Measured from NOAA Storm Events and climate-extremes data.
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Cost of living and housing pressure on residents.
Measured from Bureau of Labor Statistics unemployment, HUD Fair Market Rent and US Census median income plus poverty rate.
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What a typical night out actually costs in this metro.
Measured from Bureau of Labor Statistics regional Consumer Price Index — food away from home, recreation services and transportation services.
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Cities like Toledo
The Toledo read Free
A written read on Toledo, grounded in the data
A plain-English analysis of why Toledo scores the way it does — its standout strengths, where it falls short, who it suits best, and the cities most like it. Every figure is drawn from the same 23 factors on this page: it narrates the measured data, it never invents a number.
With a Fun Score of 49, Toledo, OH is categorized as "Some Fun," and stands out nationally for its remarkably affordable going-out scene.
Why it scores high
Toledo, OH offers a strong environment for sports enthusiasts, with its Sports scene scoring an impressive 89. This places it tied for #11 nationally out of 134 cities, indicating a vibrant array of professional and collegiate games, along with numerous stadiums, sports centers, and fitness facilities (Ticketmaster and SeatGeek pro and college games, plus OpenStreetMap stadiums, sports centres and fitness centres). This high score suggests that residents and visitors alike will find ample opportunities to engage with or spectate various sporting events.
The city also boasts a commendable level of Walkability, scoring 65 and tying for #47 nationally. This means that many areas of Toledo are designed to be easily navigable on foot, making daily errands and recreational strolls convenient and enjoyable (EPA National Walkability Index (block-group resolution, population-weighted to the city)). Complementing this, Toledo provides a good selection of Unique Hangouts, scoring 64 and ranking #49 nationally. This suggests a diverse range of entertainment options beyond traditional bars and restaurants, such as escape rooms, arcades, trampoline parks, and karaoke venues, offering distinctive experiences for residents (OpenStreetMap escape rooms, arcades, trampoline parks and karaoke venues, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality).
Perhaps one of Toledo's most compelling attributes is its exceptional affordability for entertainment. The city's Going-Out Cost score of 92 is tied for #1 nationally out of 134 cities, meaning it is one of the most inexpensive places to enjoy leisure activities (Bureau of Labor Statistics regional Consumer Price Index — food away from home, recreation services and transportation services). This high score indicates that residents can experience a wide range of social and recreational activities without breaking the bank, making Toledo an attractive option for those seeking an active social life on a budget.
Where it falls short
While Toledo shines in several areas, it faces challenges in others. The city's Coffee scene scores a low 6, placing it at #126 nationally out of 134 cities (OpenStreetMap café counts, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality). This suggests a limited number of coffee shops or a lack of highly-rated establishments, which might be a drawback for daily coffee drinkers or those seeking vibrant café culture. Similarly, the Live Music scene is also quite limited, with a score of 8, tied for #123 nationally (Ticketmaster and SeatGeek show listings, plus OpenStreetMap music venues). This indicates fewer opportunities to catch live performances, which could be a concern for music lovers.
Another significant area of concern is Economic Strain, where Toledo scores a low 12, tied for #120 nationally. This suggests that the city experiences notable economic challenges, which could impact residents' financial well-being (Bureau of Labor Statistics unemployment, HUD Fair Market Rent and US Census median income plus poverty rate). Additionally, Air Quality is a factor where Toledo struggles, scoring 26 and tying for #98 nationally (EPA AirNow and OpenAQ pollution readings (seven-day trailing average)). This lower score indicates that the air quality in Toledo is not as good as in many other cities, which could be a consideration for outdoor activities and overall health.
Who it's for
Toledo is an ideal city for sports enthusiasts and budget-conscious individuals who appreciate walkable neighborhoods and unique local entertainment options. It's a great fit for those who prioritize affordable social outings and don't mind a less vibrant coffee or live music scene.
Cities like it
- Saint Paul, MN is similar to Toledo in offering a good balance of urban amenities and a strong sense of community.
- Tulsa, OK shares Toledo's focus on affordability and a growing emphasis on outdoor activities and unique local spots.
- Fort Wayne, IN also presents a comparable profile with a strong sports presence and a focus on accessible, family-friendly entertainment.
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics regional Consumer Price Index — food away from home, recreation services and transportation services
- Bureau of Labor Statistics unemployment, HUD Fair Market Rent and US Census median income plus poverty rate
- EPA AirNow and OpenAQ pollution readings (seven-day trailing average)
- EPA National Walkability Index (block-group resolution, population-weighted to the city)
- FBI Crime Data Explorer and city open-data crime portals
- FEMA National Risk Index
- GDELT news tone and Google Trends search interest (each percentile-ranked, then averaged)
- GTFS schedules via Transit.land, the Federal Transit Administration National Transit Database and US Census ACS B08301 commuter mode share
- NCES Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) full-time-equivalent enrollment and US Census ACS age cohort data
- NOAA climate normals — counts of comfortable days
- NOAA Storm Events and climate-extremes data
- OpenStreetMap bars, pubs, nightclubs and craft breweries/distilleries, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality
- OpenStreetMap café counts, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality
- OpenStreetMap escape rooms, arcades, trampoline parks and karaoke venues, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality
- OpenStreetMap museums, galleries and theatres plus geo-tagged Wikipedia landmarks, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality
- OpenStreetMap parks, nature reserves, playgrounds and beaches, plus National Park Service units and Recreation.gov federal facilities
- OpenStreetMap protected cycleway segments and the MobilityData GBFS bikeshare-feed catalog
- OpenStreetMap restaurant counts, with Google Places ratings adjusting for venue quality
- SeatGeek headliner popularity and Wikidata notable residents (rank-blended)
- Ticketmaster and SeatGeek festivals, fairs and ticketed events
- Ticketmaster and SeatGeek pro and college games, plus OpenStreetMap stadiums, sports centres and fitness centres
- Ticketmaster and SeatGeek show listings, plus OpenStreetMap music venues
- US Census commute-time data (ACS)
This narrative is generated by AI from CityFunIndex's measured data. The Fun Scores, ranks and raw values are computed deterministically; the wording around them is the model's. Verify any figure against the linked city page.
Go deeper
Use the data
Toledo’s Fun Score and every factor score are available through the licensed CityFunIndex API — clean JSON, metered one call per city record, behind a paid key.
Cite this page
Paste-ready credit line for journalists, researchers and bloggers. Carries the score, the algorithm version and the canonical URL so readers can verify it themselves.
CityFunIndex Fun Score for Toledo, OH: 45/100 (v2.1.0-dev). https://cityfunindex.com/city/toledo-oh
Press, research and partnership enquiries: media kit · api@cityfunindex.com.