City comparison
Yes. Newark's crime index is 136 versus 221 in Toledo, and its violent crime index is 159 versus 279, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Toledo is cheaper. Median rent is $934 a month versus $1,392 in Newark.
Safety is where Newark and Toledo split most clearly. Newark scores 85 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,392 in Newark and $934 in Toledo.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Toledo is the easier city on typical rent, but Newark can still be the better daily fit depending on schools, safety, and climate. 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
Newark and Toledo are 492 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,392 a month in Newark to $934 a month in Toledo, down $458 a month (33%).
Median household income goes from $52,060 in Newark to $62,224 in Toledo, up $10,164 (20%).
The crime index goes from 136 in Newark to 221 in Toledo, up 85 points (63%).
The move
Toledo and Newark are 492 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $934 a month in Toledo to $1,392 a month in Newark, up $458 a month (49%).
Median household income goes from $62,224 in Toledo to $52,060 in Newark, down $10,164 (16%).
The crime index goes from 221 in Toledo to 136 in Newark, down 85 points (38%).
Newark, NJ
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 Newark and Toledo? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
33% cheaper
Toledo rent is 33% cheaper than Newark
Newark
$1,392/mo
Toledo
Winner$934/mo
Typical rent runs $934 a month in Toledo versus $1,392 in Newark, so Toledo is 33% cheaper. That's roughly $458/month back in your pocket ($5,496/year). Over five years that's $27,480 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 Newark, 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
20% higher
Toledo's median income is 20% higher than Newark
Newark
$52,060
Toledo
Winner$62,224
Median household income is $62,224 in Toledo versus $52,060 in Newark, so typical pay runs 20% higher in Toledo (about $10,164 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, Toledo is the stronger labor market on paper. Newark can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
38% lower crime
Newark's crime index is 38% lower than Toledo
Newark
Winner136 (100 = avg)
Toledo
221 (100 = avg)
Newark's crime index is 136 versus 221 in Toledo (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 38% lower in Newark. 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, Newark 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
13% more comfortable
Newark weather is 13% more comfortable than Toledo
Newark
Winner54°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 69/100
Toledo
51°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 61/100
Newark averages about 54°F (60°F highs); Toledo averages about 51°F (58°F highs). Newark averages around 54°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. Newark scores 13% 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
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Pick Newark if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (54°F) beat Toledo on this page's weather index by 13%. Toledo may pay more or cost less, but Newark is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Newark is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 38% lower than Toledo (136 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
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Toledo is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 33% 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.
Toledo is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 20% higher here ($62,224). Start with Toledo if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Newark leads on safety (51/100 vs 36/100 in Toledo). Typical rent is $1,392 in Newark and $934 in Toledo; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Safety still diverges (51/100 in Newark vs 36/100 in Toledo), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Median income is $62,224 in Toledo versus $52,060 in Newark.
Between Newark and Toledo, Newark is ahead on safety — 51/100 safety versus 36/100. Lean Toledo instead when you already know the Toledo block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Newark and Toledo, plus other cities in NJ and OH.
