Cleveland OH 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Toledo
268,461
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Toledo
35.7
Toledo +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Cleveland +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Toledo
58.7%
Toledo +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Toledo
28.7%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Cleveland +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Toledo
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 268,461 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 35.7 | Toledo + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 3.4% | Cleveland + |
| White | 36.7% | 58.7% | Toledo + |
| Black | 46.8% | 28.7% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.4% | Cleveland + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 8.9% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Toledo
$47,532
Toledo +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Toledo
$27,407
Toledo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Toledo
$58,300
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Toledo
8.5%
Toledo +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Toledo
24.5%
Toledo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Cleveland +
Toledo
21.0%
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $47,532 | Toledo + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $27,407 | Toledo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,300 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 8.5% | Toledo + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 24.5% | Toledo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 21.0% | Cleveland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Toledo
$130,101
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Toledo
52.7%
Toledo +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $130,101 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 52.7% | Toledo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Toledo
319
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Toledo
1866
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 319 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1866 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Toledo
39.3%
Toledo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Toledo
15.7%
Toledo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Cleveland +
Toledo
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Toledo
11.3%
Toledo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Toledo
14.9%
Toledo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Toledo
19.9%
Toledo +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 39.3% | Toledo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.7% | Toledo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 20.6% | Cleveland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.3% | Toledo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.9% | Toledo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 19.9% | Toledo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Toledo
50.6°F
Toledo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 50.6°F | Toledo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 33.4 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Toledo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 21.3 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Toledo leads in median household income at $47,532, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Toledo is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cleveland. Toledo has a lower unemployment rate at 8.5%, and Toledo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Toledo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.3%.
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