Skyline of Toledo
Cost of Living: 88.5 270,871

Toledo, OH, US

Glass City with incredibly cheap housing, Great Lakes access, and a manufacturing legacy.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 88.5

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 68.4

Affordable

Median Income $39,000

Household income

Unemployment 4.8%

Job market health

Toledo vs US Average

Cost of Living
Toledo: 88.5
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Toledo: 68.4
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Toledo: 3.99%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 4.0%
  • Sales Tax: 7.5%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $39,000
  • Unemployment: 4.8%
  • Population: 270,871

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 180/year
  • Summer High: 84°F
  • Winter Low: 19°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5a

Housing

  • Median Home: $115,000
  • 1BR Rent: $850/mo

Cost of Living

Toledo's cost of living index is 88.5 (US average = 100).

CategoryToledoNational AverageDifference
Overall88.5100-11.5%
Housing68.4100-31.6%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$115,000
Median Rent (1BR)$850/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,063/mo
Price per Sq Ft$76

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Toledo:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$105Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$98Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$50Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$55Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities$308Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Toledo scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
88.5
Rent
$850
Sunny Days
180
Tax
3.99%
Unemployment
4.8%
Climate
84°F / 19°F
Safety
12.1 homicides/100k
Population
270,871
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Toledo has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January39°F19°F2.5"
April69°F34°F2.8"
July84°F59°F1.5"
October64°F37°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5a

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Toledo faces the following natural hazards:

Tornado High Risk

Tornado Alley with frequent tornadoes.

Flood High Risk

River flooding.

Blizzard High Risk

Severe winter storms.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 3.99%
  • Sales Tax: 7.5%
  • Property Tax: ~1.93% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 4.8%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Toledo per 100,000 residents:

1,041.1
Violent Crime
2,732.2
Property Crime
12.1
Homicide

Data source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting

Schools & Education

90/100
School Quality Score
Better than 97% of US cities
?
96
Total Schools
2.3:1
Student:Teacher
84.2%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Universities & Higher Education

1
Universities
#875
Top University Rank
Top-Ranked University University of Toledo

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Toledo, OH, US?

The cost of living index in Toledo is 88.5, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Toledo?

The median home price in Toledo is $115,000. The housing index is 68.4.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Toledo is approximately $850/mo.

Does Toledo, OH have income tax?

Toledo is in OH, which has an income tax rate of 3.99%.

What is the climate like in Toledo?

Toledo enjoys approximately 180 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 84°F, while winter lows can drop to around 19°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.