City comparison
Yes. Chicago's crime index is 167 versus 221 in Toledo, and its violent crime index is 139 versus 279, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Toledo is cheaper. Median rent is $934 a month versus $1,440 in Chicago.
The cost gap between Chicago and Toledo is the real story here. Toledo comes in 35% cheaper on typical rent ($1,440 vs $934), which over a year adds up to $6,072. Median household income runs $77,902 in Chicago and $62,224 in Toledo.
Chicago 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 Chicago 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
Chicago and Toledo are 211 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,440 a month in Chicago to $934 a month in Toledo, down $506 a month (35%).
Median household income goes from $77,902 in Chicago to $62,224 in Toledo, down $15,678 (20%).
The crime index goes from 167 in Chicago to 221 in Toledo, up 54 points (32%).
The move
Toledo and Chicago are 211 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $934 a month in Toledo to $1,440 a month in Chicago, up $506 a month (54%).
Median household income goes from $62,224 in Toledo to $77,902 in Chicago, up $15,678 (25%).
The crime index goes from 221 in Toledo to 167 in Chicago, down 54 points (24%).
Chicago, IL
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 Chicago and Toledo? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
35% cheaper
Toledo rent is 35% cheaper than Chicago
Chicago
$1,440/mo
Toledo
Winner$934/mo
Typical rent runs $934 a month in Toledo versus $1,440 in Chicago, so Toledo is 35% cheaper. That's roughly $506/month back in your pocket ($6,072/year). Over five years that's $30,360 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 Chicago, 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 Chicago? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
25% higher
Chicago's median income is 25% higher than Toledo
Chicago
Winner$77,902
Toledo
$62,224
Median household income is $77,902 in Chicago versus $62,224 in Toledo, so typical pay runs 25% higher in Chicago (about $15,678 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, Chicago 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
24% lower crime
Chicago's crime index is 24% lower than Toledo
Chicago
Winner167 (100 = avg)
Toledo
221 (100 = avg)
Chicago's crime index is 167 versus 221 in Toledo (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 24% lower in Chicago. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Chicago is the easier city. Toledo can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
8% more comfortable
Chicago weather is 8% more comfortable than Toledo
Chicago
Winner53°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 66/100
Toledo
51°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 61/100
Chicago averages about 53°F (60°F highs); Toledo averages about 51°F (58°F highs). Chicago averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Toledo averages around 51°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Chicago scores 8% 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 25% higher ($77,902), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 53°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Chicago is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 24% lower than Toledo (167 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 35% 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 $1,440 in Chicago. Median income reads $62,224 in Toledo and $77,902 in Chicago, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Toledo rent at $934/month is still below Chicago's $1,440, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $77,902 in Chicago versus $62,224 in Toledo.
Pick Toledo when shaving $506 off rent at $934/month is the priority. Otherwise, Chicago's case rests on $1,440/month rent with $77,902 local income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Chicago and Toledo, plus other cities in IL and OH.
