City comparison
No. Boise's crime index is 73 versus 221 in Toledo, and its violent crime index is 85 versus 279, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Toledo is cheaper. Median rent is $934 a month versus $1,446 in Boise.
Safety is where Toledo and Boise split most clearly. Boise scores 148 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $934 in Toledo and $1,446 in Boise.
Boise 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 Boise 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
Toledo and Boise are 1,654 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $934 a month in Toledo to $1,446 a month in Boise, up $512 a month (55%).
Median household income goes from $62,224 in Toledo to $83,904 in Boise, up $21,680 (35%).
The crime index goes from 221 in Toledo to 73 in Boise, down 148 points (67%).
The move
Boise and Toledo are 1,654 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,446 a month in Boise to $934 a month in Toledo, down $512 a month (35%).
Median household income goes from $83,904 in Boise to $62,224 in Toledo, down $21,680 (26%).
The crime index goes from 73 in Boise to 221 in Toledo, up 148 points (203%).
Toledo, OH
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Boise, ID
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Toledo and Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
35% cheaper
Toledo rent is 35% cheaper than Boise
Toledo
Winner$934/mo
Boise
$1,446/mo
Typical rent runs $934 a month in Toledo versus $1,446 in Boise, so Toledo is 35% cheaper. That's roughly $512/month back in your pocket ($6,144/year). Over five years that's $30,720 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 Boise, 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 Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
35% higher
Boise's median income is 35% higher than Toledo
Toledo
$62,224
Boise
Winner$83,904
Median household income is $83,904 in Boise versus $62,224 in Toledo, so typical pay runs 35% higher in Boise (about $21,680 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, Boise 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
67% lower crime
Boise's crime index is 67% lower than Toledo
Toledo
221 (100 = avg)
Boise
Winner73 (100 = avg)
Boise's crime index is 73 versus 221 in Toledo (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 67% lower in Boise. 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, Boise 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
46% more comfortable
Boise weather is 46% more comfortable than Toledo
Toledo
51°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 61/100
Boise
Winner61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Toledo averages about 51°F (58°F highs); Boise averages about 61°F (70°F highs). Toledo averages around 51°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Boise averages around 61°F. Boise scores 46% 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
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 35% 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.
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 35% higher ($83,904), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 61°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Boise is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 67% lower than Toledo (73 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
Crime and safety tilt toward Boise: Boise scores 70/100 versus 36/100 in Toledo, with typical rent at $1,446 versus $934. I would vet the exact ZIP in Toledo before trading 34 safety points for housing savings.
Boise still pays more locally ($83,904 median income vs $62,224), which can offset the lease if your field pays Boise rates.
Median income is $83,904 in Boise versus $62,224 in Toledo.
Pick Boise when you want the stronger safety signal (70/100). Otherwise, Toledo's case rests on a Toledo ZIP you trust at $934 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Toledo and Boise, plus other cities in OH and ID.
