Charlotte NC vs Toledo OH — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Toledo
268,461
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Toledo
35.7
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Toledo
58.7%
Toledo +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Toledo
28.7%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Toledo
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 268,461 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 35.7 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 3.4% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 58.7% | Toledo + |
| Black | 34.1% | 28.7% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 1.4% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 8.9% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Charlotte +
Toledo
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Toledo
8.5%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Toledo
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Toledo
21.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $47,532 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $27,407 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,300 | Charlotte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 8.5% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 24.5% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 21.0% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Toledo
52.7%
Toledo +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 52.7% | Toledo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Toledo
319
Toledo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Toledo
1866
Toledo +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 319 | Toledo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1866 | Toledo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Toledo
39.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Toledo
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Toledo
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Toledo
11.3%
Toledo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Toledo
14.9%
Toledo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 39.3% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 15.7% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 20.6% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.3% | Toledo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.9% | Toledo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 19.9% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Toledo
50.6°F
Toledo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 50.6°F | Toledo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 33.4 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Charlotte +
Toledo
55.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charlotte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 21.3 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Toledo is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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