City comparison
Yes. Tampa's crime index is 93 versus 221 in Toledo, and its violent crime index is 112 versus 279, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Toledo is cheaper. Median rent is $934 a month versus $1,701 in Tampa.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Tampa and Toledo. Tampa averages 75°F while Toledo averages 51°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,701 versus $934.
Tampa 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 Tampa 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
Tampa and Toledo are 950 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,701 a month in Tampa to $934 a month in Toledo, down $767 a month (45%).
Median household income goes from $75,475 in Tampa to $62,224 in Toledo, down $13,251 (18%).
The crime index goes from 93 in Tampa to 221 in Toledo, up 128 points (138%).
The move
Toledo and Tampa are 950 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $934 a month in Toledo to $1,701 a month in Tampa, up $767 a month (82%).
Median household income goes from $62,224 in Toledo to $75,475 in Tampa, up $13,251 (21%).
The crime index goes from 221 in Toledo to 93 in Tampa, down 128 points (58%).
Tampa, FL
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 Tampa and Toledo? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
45% cheaper
Toledo rent is 45% cheaper than Tampa
Tampa
$1,701/mo
Toledo
Winner$934/mo
Typical rent runs $934 a month in Toledo versus $1,701 in Tampa, so Toledo is 45% cheaper. That's roughly $767/month back in your pocket ($9,204/year). Over five years that's $46,020 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 Tampa, 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 Tampa? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
21% higher
Tampa's median income is 21% higher than Toledo
Tampa
Winner$75,475
Toledo
$62,224
Median household income is $75,475 in Tampa versus $62,224 in Toledo, so typical pay runs 21% higher in Tampa (about $13,251 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, Tampa 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
58% lower crime
Tampa's crime index is 58% lower than Toledo
Tampa
Winner93 (100 = avg)
Toledo
221 (100 = avg)
Tampa's crime index is 93 versus 221 in Toledo (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 58% lower in Tampa. 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, Tampa 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
Tampa weather is 64% more comfortable than Toledo
Tampa
Winner75°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Toledo
51°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 61/100
Tampa averages about 75°F (83°F highs); Toledo averages about 51°F (58°F highs). Tampa sits near 75°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. Tampa 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 21% higher ($75,475), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 75°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Tampa is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 58% lower than Toledo (93 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 45% 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 $1,701 in Tampa. Median income reads $62,224 in Toledo and $75,475 in Tampa, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Safety still diverges (62/100 in Tampa vs 36/100 in Toledo), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Weather averages land near 75°F in Tampa and 51°F in Toledo.
If housing cost drives your move, Toledo is the stronger match ($934/month rent against $1,701). If an employer or family tie already points to Tampa, treat $1,701/month rent and $75,475 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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