City comparison
Yes. Madison's crime index is 91 versus 221 in Toledo, and its violent crime index is 68 versus 279, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Toledo is cheaper. Median rent is $934 a month versus $1,413 in Madison.
Safety is where Madison and Toledo split most clearly. Madison scores 130 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,413 in Madison and $934 in Toledo.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Toledo costs less and Madison pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
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
Madison and Toledo are 314 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,413 a month in Madison to $934 a month in Toledo, down $479 a month (34%).
Median household income goes from $78,050 in Madison to $62,224 in Toledo, down $15,826 (20%).
The crime index goes from 91 in Madison to 221 in Toledo, up 130 points (143%).
The move
Toledo and Madison are 314 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $934 a month in Toledo to $1,413 a month in Madison, up $479 a month (51%).
Median household income goes from $62,224 in Toledo to $78,050 in Madison, up $15,826 (25%).
The crime index goes from 221 in Toledo to 91 in Madison, down 130 points (59%).
Madison, WI
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 Madison and Toledo? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
34% cheaper
Toledo rent is 34% cheaper than Madison
Madison
$1,413/mo
Toledo
Winner$934/mo
Typical rent runs $934 a month in Toledo versus $1,413 in Madison, so Toledo is 34% cheaper. That's roughly $479/month back in your pocket ($5,748/year). Over five years that's $28,740 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 Madison, 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 Toledo? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
25% higher
Madison's median income is 25% higher than Toledo
Madison
Winner$78,050
Toledo
$62,224
Median household income is $78,050 in Madison versus $62,224 in Toledo, so typical pay runs 25% higher in Madison (about $15,826 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, Madison 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
59% lower crime
Madison's crime index is 59% lower than Toledo
Madison
Winner91 (100 = avg)
Toledo
221 (100 = avg)
Madison's crime index is 91 versus 221 in Toledo (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 59% lower in Madison. 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, Madison 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
17% more comfortable
Toledo weather is 17% more comfortable than Madison
Madison
48°F avg · 57°F highs · comfort 52/100
Toledo
Winner51°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 61/100
Madison averages about 48°F (57°F highs); Toledo averages about 51°F (58°F highs). Madison averages around 48°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. Toledo scores 17% 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 Madison 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 and professional growth
Madison is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 25% higher here ($78,050). Start with Madison if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Madison is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 59% lower than Toledo (91 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
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
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.
Pick Toledo if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (51°F) beat Madison on this page's weather index by 17%. Madison may pay more or cost less, but Toledo is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Madison: Madison scores 63/100 versus 36/100 in Toledo, with typical rent at $1,413 versus $934. I would vet the exact ZIP in Toledo before trading 27 safety points for housing savings.
Madison still pays more locally ($78,050 median income vs $62,224), which can offset the lease if your field pays Madison rates.
Median income is $78,050 in Madison versus $62,224 in Toledo.
If safety drives your move, Madison is the stronger match (63/100 safety versus 36/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Toledo, treat $934/month rent and $62,224 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Madison and Toledo, plus other cities in WI and OH.
