City comparison
No. Toledo's crime index is 221 versus 265 in Portland, and its violent crime index is 279 versus 207, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Toledo is cheaper. Median rent is $934 a month versus $1,655 in Portland.
The income gap between Portland and Toledo is significant: $90,919 median household versus $62,224. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,655 in Portland and $934 in Toledo.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Toledo costs less and Portland 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
Portland and Toledo are 1,956 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,655 a month in Portland to $934 a month in Toledo, down $721 a month (44%).
Median household income goes from $90,919 in Portland to $62,224 in Toledo, down $28,695 (32%).
The crime index goes from 265 in Portland to 221 in Toledo, down 44 points (17%).
The move
Toledo and Portland are 1,956 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $934 a month in Toledo to $1,655 a month in Portland, up $721 a month (77%).
Median household income goes from $62,224 in Toledo to $90,919 in Portland, up $28,695 (46%).
The crime index goes from 221 in Toledo to 265 in Portland, up 44 points (20%).
Portland, OR
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 Portland and Toledo? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
44% cheaper
Toledo rent is 44% cheaper than Portland
Portland
$1,655/mo
Toledo
Winner$934/mo
Typical rent runs $934 a month in Toledo versus $1,655 in Portland, so Toledo is 44% cheaper. That's roughly $721/month back in your pocket ($8,652/year). Over five years that's $43,260 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 Portland, 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
46% higher
Portland's median income is 46% higher than Toledo
Portland
Winner$90,919
Toledo
$62,224
Median household income is $90,919 in Portland versus $62,224 in Toledo, so typical pay runs 46% higher in Portland (about $28,695 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, Portland 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
17% lower crime
Toledo's crime index is 17% lower than Portland
Portland
265 (100 = avg)
Toledo
Winner221 (100 = avg)
Toledo's crime index is 221 versus 265 in Portland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 17% lower in Toledo. 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, Toledo is the easier city. Portland can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
41% more comfortable
Portland weather is 41% more comfortable than Toledo
Portland
Winner60°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 86/100
Toledo
51°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 61/100
Portland averages about 60°F (68°F highs); Toledo averages about 51°F (58°F highs). Portland averages around 60°F. Toledo averages around 51°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Portland scores 41% 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 46% higher ($90,919), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 60°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Toledo is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 44% 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 fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 17% lower than Portland (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
Housing separates these metros first: $934/month in Toledo versus $1,655 in Portland. Median income reads $62,224 in Toledo and $90,919 in Portland, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Toledo rent at $934/month is still below Portland's $1,655, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 60°F in Portland and 51°F in Toledo.
Pick Toledo when shaving $721 off rent at $934/month is the priority. Otherwise, Portland's case rests on $1,655/month rent with $90,919 local income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Portland and Toledo, plus other cities in OR and OH.
