Raleigh 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Toledo
268,461
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Toledo
35.7
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Toledo
58.7%
Toledo +
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Toledo
28.7%
Toledo +
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Toledo
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 268,461 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 3.4% | Raleigh + |
| White | 53.8% | 58.7% | Toledo + |
| Black | 27.5% | 28.7% | Toledo + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 1.4% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 8.9% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Toledo
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Toledo
8.5%
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Toledo
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
Toledo
21.0%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $47,532 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $27,407 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,300 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 8.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 24.5% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 21.0% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Toledo
52.7%
Toledo +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 52.7% | Toledo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Toledo
319
Toledo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Toledo
1866
Toledo +
| Metric | Raleigh, 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
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Toledo
39.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Toledo
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
Toledo
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Toledo
11.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Toledo
14.9%
Toledo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 39.3% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 15.7% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 20.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.3% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.9% | Toledo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 19.9% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Toledo
50.6°F
Toledo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | 50.6°F | Toledo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 33.4 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
Toledo
55.0%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 21.3 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, 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 Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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