City comparison
Yes. Atlanta's crime index is 197 versus 221 in Toledo, and its violent crime index is 193 versus 279, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Toledo is cheaper. Median rent is $934 a month versus $1,711 in Atlanta.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Atlanta and Toledo. Atlanta averages 61°F while Toledo averages 51°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,711 versus $934.
Atlanta is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Toledo makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Atlanta is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Toledo at $934 average has pockets that run $734 and others at $1,334: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Atlanta and Toledo are 549 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,711 a month in Atlanta to $934 a month in Toledo, down $777 a month (45%).
Median household income goes from $85,652 in Atlanta to $62,224 in Toledo, down $23,428 (27%).
The crime index goes from 197 in Atlanta to 221 in Toledo, up 24 points (12%).
The move
Toledo and Atlanta are 549 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $934 a month in Toledo to $1,711 a month in Atlanta, up $777 a month (83%).
Median household income goes from $62,224 in Toledo to $85,652 in Atlanta, up $23,428 (38%).
The crime index goes from 221 in Toledo to 197 in Atlanta, down 24 points (11%).
Atlanta, GA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Toledo, OH
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Atlanta and Toledo? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
45% cheaper
Toledo rent is 45% cheaper than Atlanta
Atlanta
$1,711/mo
Toledo
Winner$934/mo
Typical rent runs $934 a month in Toledo versus $1,711 in Atlanta, so Toledo is 45% cheaper. That's roughly $777/month back in your pocket ($9,324/year). Over five years that's $46,620 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Atlanta, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Toledo is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Atlanta? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
38% higher
Atlanta's median income is 38% higher than Toledo
Atlanta
Winner$85,652
Toledo
$62,224
Median household income is $85,652 in Atlanta versus $62,224 in Toledo, so typical pay runs 38% higher in Atlanta (about $23,428 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Atlanta is the stronger labor market on paper. Toledo can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
11% lower crime
Atlanta's crime index is 11% lower than Toledo
Atlanta
Winner197 (100 = avg)
Toledo
221 (100 = avg)
Atlanta's crime index is 197 versus 221 in Toledo (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 11% lower in Atlanta. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Atlanta, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Toledo. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
46% more comfortable
Atlanta weather is 46% more comfortable than Toledo
Atlanta
Winner61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Toledo
51°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 61/100
Atlanta averages about 61°F (70°F highs); Toledo averages about 51°F (58°F highs). Atlanta averages around 61°F. Toledo averages around 51°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Atlanta scores 46% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Toledo if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 38% higher ($85,652), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 61°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Atlanta is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 11% lower than Toledo (197 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Toledo
Toledo is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 45% cheaper here at about $934 a month. Choose Toledo if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Housing separates these metros first: $934/month in Toledo versus $1,711 in Atlanta. Median income reads $62,224 in Toledo and $85,652 in Atlanta, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Toledo rent at $934/month is still below Atlanta's $1,711, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 61°F in Atlanta and 51°F in Toledo.
If housing cost drives your move, Toledo is the stronger match ($934/month rent against $1,711). If an employer or family tie already points to Atlanta, treat $1,711/month rent and $85,652 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Atlanta and Toledo, plus other cities in GA and OH.
