City comparison
Yes. Pittsburgh's crime index is 158 versus 221 in Toledo, and its violent crime index is 147 versus 279, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Toledo is cheaper. Median rent is $934 a month versus $1,261 in Pittsburgh.
Safety is where Pittsburgh and Toledo split most clearly. Pittsburgh scores 63 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,261 in Pittsburgh and $934 in Toledo.
This is a genuine split. Pittsburgh wins on the job market and safety and Toledo wins on cost of living. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
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
Pittsburgh and Toledo are 204 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,261 a month in Pittsburgh to $934 a month in Toledo, down $327 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $65,742 in Pittsburgh to $62,224 in Toledo, down $3,518 (5%).
The crime index goes from 158 in Pittsburgh to 221 in Toledo, up 63 points (40%).
The move
Toledo and Pittsburgh are 204 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $934 a month in Toledo to $1,261 a month in Pittsburgh, up $327 a month (35%).
Median household income goes from $62,224 in Toledo to $65,742 in Pittsburgh, up $3,518 (6%).
The crime index goes from 221 in Toledo to 158 in Pittsburgh, down 63 points (29%).
Pittsburgh, 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 Pittsburgh and Toledo? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
26% cheaper
Toledo rent is 26% cheaper than Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
$1,261/mo
Toledo
Winner$934/mo
Typical rent runs $934 a month in Toledo versus $1,261 in Pittsburgh, so Toledo is 26% cheaper. That's roughly $327/month back in your pocket ($3,924/year). Over five years that's $19,620 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 Pittsburgh, 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 Pittsburgh? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
6% higher
Pittsburgh's median income is 6% higher than Toledo
Pittsburgh
Winner$65,742
Toledo
$62,224
Median household income is $65,742 in Pittsburgh versus $62,224 in Toledo, so typical pay runs 6% higher in Pittsburgh (about $3,518 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
29% lower crime
Pittsburgh's crime index is 29% lower than Toledo
Pittsburgh
Winner158 (100 = avg)
Toledo
221 (100 = avg)
Pittsburgh's crime index is 158 versus 221 in Toledo (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 29% lower in Pittsburgh. 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, Pittsburgh 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
Neck and neck
Pittsburgh and Toledo are about even on typical weather.
Pittsburgh
51°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 61/100
Toledo
51°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 61/100
Pittsburgh averages about 51°F (58°F highs); Toledo averages about 51°F (58°F highs). Pittsburgh averages around 51°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. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Pittsburgh is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 6% higher here ($65,742). Start with Pittsburgh if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Pittsburgh is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 29% lower than Toledo (158 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 26% 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 $1,261 in Pittsburgh ($327 apart). Pittsburgh median income is $65,742 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 Pittsburgh's $1,261, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $65,742 in Pittsburgh versus $62,224 in Toledo.
Toledo clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Pittsburgh deserves a serious look only when your $65,742 income offer in Pittsburgh outweighs saving $327/month in Toledo.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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