City comparison
Yes. San Diego's crime index is 106 versus 221 in Toledo, and its violent crime index is 114 versus 279, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Toledo is cheaper. Median rent is $934 a month versus $2,313 in San Diego.
The income gap between San Diego and Toledo is significant: $108,077 median household versus $62,224. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,313 in San Diego and $934 in Toledo.
San Diego is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Toledo makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone San Diego 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
San Diego and Toledo are 1,936 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,313 a month in San Diego to $934 a month in Toledo, down $1,379 a month (60%).
Median household income goes from $108,077 in San Diego to $62,224 in Toledo, down $45,853 (42%).
The crime index goes from 106 in San Diego to 221 in Toledo, up 115 points (108%).
The move
Toledo and San Diego are 1,936 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $934 a month in Toledo to $2,313 a month in San Diego, up $1,379 a month (148%).
Median household income goes from $62,224 in Toledo to $108,077 in San Diego, up $45,853 (74%).
The crime index goes from 221 in Toledo to 106 in San Diego, down 115 points (52%).
San Diego, CA
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 San Diego and Toledo? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
60% cheaper
Toledo rent is 60% cheaper than San Diego
San Diego
$2,313/mo
Toledo
Winner$934/mo
Typical rent runs $934 a month in Toledo versus $2,313 in San Diego, so Toledo is 60% cheaper. That's roughly $1,379/month back in your pocket ($16,548/year). Over five years that's $82,740 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 San Diego, 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 San Diego? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
74% higher
San Diego's median income is 74% higher than Toledo
San Diego
Winner$108,077
Toledo
$62,224
Median household income is $108,077 in San Diego versus $62,224 in Toledo, so typical pay runs 74% higher in San Diego (about $45,853 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, San Diego 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
52% lower crime
San Diego's crime index is 52% lower than Toledo
San Diego
Winner106 (100 = avg)
Toledo
221 (100 = avg)
San Diego's crime index is 106 versus 221 in Toledo (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 52% lower in San Diego. 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, San Diego 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
64% more comfortable
San Diego weather is 64% more comfortable than Toledo
San Diego
Winner74°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Toledo
51°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 61/100
San Diego averages about 74°F (78°F highs); Toledo averages about 51°F (58°F highs). San Diego sits near 74°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Toledo averages around 51°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. San Diego scores 64% 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 74% higher ($108,077), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 74°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
San Diego is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 52% lower than Toledo (106 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 60% 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
Housing separates these metros first: $934/month in Toledo versus $2,313 in San Diego. Median income reads $62,224 in Toledo and $108,077 in San Diego, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Toledo rent at $934/month is still below San Diego's $2,313, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $108,077 in San Diego versus $62,224 in Toledo.
If housing cost drives your move, Toledo is the stronger match ($934/month rent against $2,313). If an employer or family tie already points to San Diego, treat $2,313/month rent and $108,077 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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