Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Toledo
268,461
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Toledo
35.7
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Toledo
58.7%
Toledo +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Toledo
28.7%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Toledo
8.9%
Toledo +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 268,461 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.7 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 3.4% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 58.7% | Toledo + |
| Black | 29.0% | 28.7% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.4% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 8.9% | Toledo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Toledo
$58,300
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Toledo
8.5%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Toledo
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Toledo
21.0%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $47,532 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $27,407 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,300 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 8.5% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 24.5% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 21.0% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Toledo
52.7%
Toledo +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 52.7% | Toledo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Toledo
319
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Toledo
1866
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Toledo
39.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Toledo
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Columbus +
Toledo
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Toledo
11.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Toledo
14.9%
Toledo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 39.3% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.7% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 20.6% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.3% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.9% | Toledo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 19.9% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Toledo
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 33.4 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Toledo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 21.3 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, 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 319 in Columbus. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Toledo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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