It depends a lot on the can, the city, and how much salt gets spread around. In places with heavy snow and road salt, urban trash cans take a real beating. They are not just sitting there looking nice. They get hit by plows, splashed with salty slush, frozen overnight, thawed during the day, and sometimes kicked or bumped by pedestrians and delivery crews.
Metal cans can hold up well, but the details matter. Basic galvanized steel is tough, yet once the coating is scratched it can start to rust, especially around the base and seams where salt and water collect. Powder-coated steel looks better and resists salt for a while, but chips and scratches open the door to corrosion. Stainless steel performs best in salt-heavy areas, but it costs more and can be a target for theft in some cities. Aluminum resists salt reasonably well, though it dents and can look battered after a few winters.
Plastic bins are common for a reason. High-density polyethylene does not rust, and it handles salt and moisture well. The weak point is cold. Cheap plastic can become brittle in deep freezes and crack if it is hit by a plow or overloaded. Better-quality plastic with UV protection and thick walls lasts longer. Concrete cans are heavy and stable, which helps in wind and snow, but they are porous and can stain or spall with repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Design matters as much as material. Cans with raised bases keep the bottom out of standing salty water. Drainage holes help meltwater escape instead of pooling inside. Covered lids keep snow and rain out. Rounded corners and rubber bumpers reduce damage from plows and carts. Replaceable liners and parts make maintenance cheaper.
The biggest factor is maintenance. Cities that rinse cans in spring, touch up paint, replace damaged parts, and avoid overfilling them get much more life out of their bins. So yes, urban trash cans can hold up in snowy, salty areas, but only when the material, design, and maintenance all work together.