City comparison
Yes. Fresno's crime index is 195 versus 221 in Toledo, and its violent crime index is 211 versus 279, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Toledo is cheaper. Median rent is $934 a month versus $1,421 in Fresno.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Fresno and Toledo. Fresno averages 74°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 $1,421 versus $934.
Fresno 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 Fresno 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
Fresno and Toledo are 1,954 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,421 a month in Fresno to $934 a month in Toledo, down $487 a month (34%).
Median household income goes from $70,991 in Fresno to $62,224 in Toledo, down $8,767 (12%).
The crime index goes from 195 in Fresno to 221 in Toledo, up 26 points (13%).
The move
Toledo and Fresno are 1,954 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $934 a month in Toledo to $1,421 a month in Fresno, up $487 a month (52%).
Median household income goes from $62,224 in Toledo to $70,991 in Fresno, up $8,767 (14%).
The crime index goes from 221 in Toledo to 195 in Fresno, down 26 points (12%).
Fresno, CA
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 Fresno and Toledo? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
34% cheaper
Toledo rent is 34% cheaper than Fresno
Fresno
$1,421/mo
Toledo
Winner$934/mo
Typical rent runs $934 a month in Toledo versus $1,421 in Fresno, so Toledo is 34% cheaper. That's roughly $487/month back in your pocket ($5,844/year). Over five years that's $29,220 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 Fresno, 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 Fresno? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
14% higher
Fresno's median income is 14% higher than Toledo
Fresno
Winner$70,991
Toledo
$62,224
Median household income is $70,991 in Fresno versus $62,224 in Toledo, so typical pay runs 14% higher in Fresno (about $8,767 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, Fresno 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
12% lower crime
Fresno's crime index is 12% lower than Toledo
Fresno
Winner195 (100 = avg)
Toledo
221 (100 = avg)
Fresno's crime index is 195 versus 221 in Toledo (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 12% lower in Fresno. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Fresno, 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
64% more comfortable
Fresno weather is 64% more comfortable than Toledo
Fresno
Winner74°F avg · 84°F highs · comfort 100/100
Toledo
51°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 61/100
Fresno averages about 74°F (84°F highs); Toledo averages about 51°F (58°F highs). Fresno sits near 74°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Toledo averages around 51°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Fresno scores 64% 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 14% higher ($70,991), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 74°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Fresno is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 12% lower than Toledo (195 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 34% 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
Rent is the clearest fork: Toledo at $934/month versus $1,421 in Fresno ($487 apart). Fresno median income is $70,991 against $62,224 in Toledo, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Toledo rent at $934/month is still below Fresno's $1,421, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 40/100 in Fresno and 36/100 in Toledo.
If housing cost drives your move, Toledo is the stronger match ($934/month rent against $1,421). If an employer or family tie already points to Fresno, treat $1,421/month rent and $70,991 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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