Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Toledo
268,461
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Toledo
35.7
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Toledo
58.7%
Toledo +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Toledo
28.7%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Toledo
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 268,461 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.7 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 3.4% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 58.7% | Toledo + |
| Black | 39.9% | 28.7% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 1.4% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 8.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Toledo
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Philadelphia +
Toledo
8.5%
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Toledo
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
Toledo
21.0%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $47,532 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $27,407 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $58,300 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 8.5% | Philadelphia + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 24.5% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 21.0% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Toledo
52.7%
Toledo +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 52.7% | Toledo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Toledo
319
Toledo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Toledo
1866
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 319 | Toledo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1866 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Toledo
39.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Toledo
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Toledo
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Toledo
11.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Toledo
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Toledo
50.6°F
Toledo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 50.6°F | Toledo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 33.4 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Philadelphia +
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Toledo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Philadelphia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 21.3 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, 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 Philadelphia. Philadelphia has a lower unemployment rate at 8.4%, and Philadelphia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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