City comparison
No. Richmond's crime index is 169 versus 221 in Toledo, and its violent crime index is 122 versus 279, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Toledo is cheaper. Median rent is $934 a month versus $1,372 in Richmond.
The cost gap between Toledo and Richmond is the real story here. Toledo comes in 32% cheaper on typical rent ($934 vs $1,372), which over a year adds up to $5,256. Median household income runs $62,224 in Toledo and $64,587 in Richmond.
Richmond 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 Richmond 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 Richmond are 431 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $934 a month in Toledo to $1,372 a month in Richmond, up $438 a month (47%).
Median household income goes from $62,224 in Toledo to $64,587 in Richmond, up $2,363 (4%).
The crime index goes from 221 in Toledo to 169 in Richmond, down 52 points (24%).
The move
Richmond and Toledo are 431 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,372 a month in Richmond to $934 a month in Toledo, down $438 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $64,587 in Richmond to $62,224 in Toledo, down $2,363 (4%).
The crime index goes from 169 in Richmond to 221 in Toledo, up 52 points (31%).
Toledo, OH
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Richmond, VA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Toledo and Richmond? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
32% cheaper
Toledo rent is 32% cheaper than Richmond
Toledo
Winner$934/mo
Richmond
$1,372/mo
Typical rent runs $934 a month in Toledo versus $1,372 in Richmond, so Toledo is 32% cheaper. That's roughly $438/month back in your pocket ($5,256/year). Over five years that's $26,280 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 Richmond, 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 Richmond? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
4% higher
Richmond's median income is 4% higher than Toledo
Toledo
$62,224
Richmond
Winner$64,587
Median household income is $64,587 in Richmond versus $62,224 in Toledo, so typical pay runs 4% higher in Richmond (about $2,363 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
24% lower crime
Richmond's crime index is 24% lower than Toledo
Toledo
221 (100 = avg)
Richmond
Winner169 (100 = avg)
Richmond's crime index is 169 versus 221 in Toledo (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 24% lower in Richmond. 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, Richmond 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
28% more comfortable
Richmond weather is 28% more comfortable than Toledo
Toledo
51°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 61/100
Richmond
Winner57°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 78/100
Toledo averages about 51°F (58°F highs); Richmond averages about 57°F (66°F highs). Toledo averages around 51°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Richmond averages around 57°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Richmond scores 28% 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 32% 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 4% higher ($64,587), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 57°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Richmond is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 24% lower than Toledo (169 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 $1,372 in Richmond. Median income reads $62,224 in Toledo and $64,587 in Richmond, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Safety still diverges (44/100 in Richmond vs 36/100 in Toledo), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Weather averages land near 51°F in Toledo and 57°F in Richmond.
Toledo clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Richmond deserves a serious look only when your $64,587 income offer in Richmond outweighs saving $438/month in Toledo.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Richmond when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Toledo and Richmond, plus other cities in OH and VA.
