City comparison
Yes. Indianapolis's crime index is 216 versus 221 in Toledo, and its violent crime index is 246 versus 279, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Toledo is cheaper. Median rent is $934 a month versus $1,156 in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis and Toledo are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,156 in Indianapolis and $934 in Toledo, and median household income lands at $66,219 versus $62,224. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis 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
Indianapolis and Toledo are 189 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,156 a month in Indianapolis to $934 a month in Toledo, down $222 a month (19%).
Median household income goes from $66,219 in Indianapolis to $62,224 in Toledo, down $3,995 (6%).
The crime index goes from 216 in Indianapolis to 221 in Toledo, up 5 points (2%).
The move
Toledo and Indianapolis are 189 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $934 a month in Toledo to $1,156 a month in Indianapolis, up $222 a month (24%).
Median household income goes from $62,224 in Toledo to $66,219 in Indianapolis, up $3,995 (6%).
The crime index goes from 221 in Toledo to 216 in Indianapolis, down 5 points (2%).
Indianapolis, IN
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 Indianapolis and Toledo? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
19% cheaper
Toledo rent is 19% cheaper than Indianapolis
Indianapolis
$1,156/mo
Toledo
Winner$934/mo
Typical rent runs $934 a month in Toledo versus $1,156 in Indianapolis, so Toledo is 19% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $2,664, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Toledo still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Indianapolis.
Planning to buy in Indianapolis? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
6% higher
Indianapolis's median income is 6% higher than Toledo
Indianapolis
Winner$66,219
Toledo
$62,224
Median household income is $66,219 in Indianapolis versus $62,224 in Toledo, so typical pay runs 6% higher in Indianapolis (about $3,995 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
2% lower crime
Indianapolis's crime index is 2% lower than Toledo
Indianapolis
Winner216 (100 = avg)
Toledo
221 (100 = avg)
Indianapolis's crime index is 216 versus 221 in Toledo (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 2% lower in Indianapolis. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Indianapolis, 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
28% more comfortable
Indianapolis weather is 28% more comfortable than Toledo
Indianapolis
Winner57°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 78/100
Toledo
51°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 61/100
Indianapolis averages about 57°F (66°F highs); Toledo averages about 51°F (58°F highs). Indianapolis averages around 57°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. Indianapolis scores 28% 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 6% higher ($66,219), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 57°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Indianapolis is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 2% lower than Toledo (216 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 19% 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
Indianapolis runs $1,156/month while Toledo sits at $934 — roughly 19% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Indianapolis-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Toledo rent at $934/month is still below Indianapolis's $1,156, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $66,219 in Indianapolis versus $62,224 in Toledo.
Between Indianapolis and Toledo, Toledo is ahead on housing cost — $934/month rent against $1,156. Lean Indianapolis instead when your $66,219 income offer in Indianapolis outweighs saving $222/month in Toledo.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Indianapolis when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Indianapolis and Toledo, plus other cities in IN and OH.
