Rochester NY 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)
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Rochester
209,720
Toledo
268,461
Toledo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Toledo
35.7
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Rochester
41.5%
Toledo
58.7%
Toledo +
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Toledo
28.7%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Toledo
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 268,461 | Toledo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.7 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 3.4% | Rochester + |
| White | 41.5% | 58.7% | Toledo + |
| Black | 37.5% | 28.7% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 1.4% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 8.9% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Toledo
$47,532
Toledo +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Rochester +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Toledo
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Rochester +
Toledo
8.5%
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Toledo
24.5%
Toledo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
Toledo
21.0%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $47,532 | Toledo + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $27,407 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,300 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 8.5% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 24.5% | Toledo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 21.0% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Toledo
52.7%
Toledo +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 52.7% | Toledo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Toledo
319
Toledo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
Toledo
1866
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 319 | Toledo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1866 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Toledo
39.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Toledo
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
Toledo
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Toledo
11.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Toledo
14.9%
Toledo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Rochester +
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 39.3% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.7% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.6% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.3% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.9% | Toledo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 19.9% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Toledo
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | 50.6°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | 33.4 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
Toledo
55.0%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
Toledo
21.3 min
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 21.3 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Toledo leads in median household income at $47,532, 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 434 in Rochester. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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