City comparison
No. Toledo's crime index is 221 versus 261 in Philadelphia, and its violent crime index is 279 versus 252, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Toledo is cheaper. Median rent is $934 a month versus $1,397 in Philadelphia.
The cost gap between Philadelphia and Toledo is the real story here. Toledo comes in 33% cheaper on typical rent ($1,397 vs $934), which over a year adds up to $5,556. Median household income runs $61,953 in Philadelphia and $62,224 in Toledo.
Toledo is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, the job market, and safety by margins that add up in daily life. Philadelphia makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Toledo 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
Philadelphia and Toledo are 454 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,397 a month in Philadelphia to $934 a month in Toledo, down $463 a month (33%).
Median household income goes from $61,953 in Philadelphia to $62,224 in Toledo, up $271 (under 1%).
The crime index goes from 261 in Philadelphia to 221 in Toledo, down 40 points (15%).
The move
Toledo and Philadelphia are 454 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $934 a month in Toledo to $1,397 a month in Philadelphia, up $463 a month (50%).
Median household income goes from $62,224 in Toledo to $61,953 in Philadelphia, down $271 (under 1%).
The crime index goes from 221 in Toledo to 261 in Philadelphia, up 40 points (18%).
Philadelphia, PA
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 Philadelphia and Toledo? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
33% cheaper
Toledo rent is 33% cheaper than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$1,397/mo
Toledo
Winner$934/mo
Typical rent runs $934 a month in Toledo versus $1,397 in Philadelphia, so Toledo is 33% cheaper. That's roughly $463/month back in your pocket ($5,556/year). Over five years that's $27,780 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 Philadelphia, 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
1% higher
Toledo's median income is 1% higher than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$61,953
Toledo
Winner$62,224
Median household income is $62,224 in Toledo versus $61,953 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 1% higher in Toledo (about $271 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
15% lower crime
Toledo's crime index is 15% lower than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
261 (100 = avg)
Toledo
Winner221 (100 = avg)
Toledo's crime index is 221 versus 261 in Philadelphia (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 15% lower in Toledo. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Toledo, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Philadelphia. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
13% more comfortable
Philadelphia weather is 13% more comfortable than Toledo
Philadelphia
Winner54°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 69/100
Toledo
51°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 61/100
Philadelphia averages about 54°F (61°F highs); Toledo averages about 51°F (58°F highs). Philadelphia 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. Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia is the city where the forecast fights you less.
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 1% higher here ($62,224). Start with Toledo if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Toledo is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 15% lower than Philadelphia (221 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.
Bottom line
On rent alone, Toledo undercuts Philadelphia by $463/month ($934 vs $1,397). I would not pick Philadelphia on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
Weather averages land near 54°F in Philadelphia and 51°F in Toledo.
Toledo is the default on housing cost at $934/month versus $1,397 in Philadelphia; Philadelphia stays in play when $61,953 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $463 lease gap.
Safety scores read 31/100 in Philadelphia and 36/100 in Toledo.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Philadelphia and Toledo, plus other cities in PA and OH.
