Is Toledo Safe, Pros and cons of living in Toledo

Is it Safe to Live in Toledo?

Toledo’s overall crime rate is significantly higher than the national average, with a total crime rate that is 78% higher per 100,000 residents (as reported by AreaVibes). This translates to an average of 27.26 daily crimes, including 7.52 violent crimes and 19.74 property crimes. Your chance of becoming a victim of any crime in Toledo is approximately 1 in 27 (as reported by AreaVibes).

Violent crimes in Toledo are reported to be 190% higher than the national average, with a rate of 1041 per 100,000 individuals (as reported by AreaVibes). Property crimes are also higher than the national average, at 55.2% above it, with 2732 property crimes per 100,000 residents (as reported by AreaVibes). Despite these statistics, crime in Toledo has seen a decrease, with year-over-year crime reductions of 9% (as reported by AreaVibes). Recent data indicates that the murder rate in Toledo fell 18% in the past year, following a 30% drop the year before, aligning with a national decline in violent crime (as reported by The Statehouse News Bureau).

Pros and Cons of Living in Toledo

Cost of Living

Toledo offers a cost of living that is generally lower than the national average. The estimated monthly costs for a single person, excluding rent, are around $1,049.20, making it 39.8% less expensive than New York City (as reported by Apartments.com). For a family of four, the estimated monthly costs, excluding rent, are approximately $3,767.20. Housing costs in Toledo are notably lower, with the cost of living for homeowners being 1.8% less than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com).

However, some specific costs can be higher than the national average. Healthcare expenses in Toledo are 20% higher than the national average (as reported by Extra Space Storage). Despite this, overall, Toledo remains an affordable city, with its cost of living being 2% lower than the national average (as reported by Extra Space Storage).

Housing Market

The housing market in Toledo presents a median home price of approximately $133,000 as of March 2026, showing a 6.4% increase compared to the previous year (as reported by Redfin). Homes in Toledo tend to sell relatively quickly, with an average of 49 days on the market (as reported by Redfin). The median listing price for a home in Toledo is around $118,450 (as reported by Realtor.com®).

Rents in Toledo are also more affordable than the national average. The average rent for an apartment is $821 per month, which is 50% lower than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com). This affordability is a significant draw for many individuals and families considering a move to the city.

Job Market and Major Employers

Toledo’s job market is supported by a diverse range of major employers across various sectors. Healthcare is a substantial industry, with ProMedica employing around 15,000 people and Mercy Health employing approximately 8,800 employees in Lucas County (as reported by YouTube). The University of Toledo also provides significant employment opportunities in education and research, with its medical campus alone employing about 5,700 people in the region (as reported by YouTube).

Manufacturing and automotive industries remain important, with Whirlpool Corporation employing over 6,000 people and FCA US LLC (now part of Stellantis) employing over 6,000 people at its Toledo complex (as reported by YouTube). Other notable employers include Owens Corning, a Fortune 500 company, and various entities in manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics (as reported by YouTube). The average annual salary in Toledo is approximately $55,455 per year, or $26.66 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter).

Climate

Toledo experiences distinct seasons, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. The average temperature in January, the coldest month, is around 45°F, with lows typically dropping to 36°F (as reported by Toledo climate). July is the warmest month, with an average high of 85°F and an average low of 64°F (as reported by Toledo climate).

Precipitation in Toledo is moderate, totaling around 350 millimeters (13.8 inches) per year (as reported by Toledo climate). The city receives an average of 36 inches of precipitation annually, with about 33 inches of snowfall (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The humidity remains comfortable during the summer months, contributing to a pleasant environment.

Demographics

Toledo’s population is approximately 267,463 residents, with a median age of 36 (as reported by Point2Homes). The racial makeup of the city is diverse, with 57.9% identifying as Caucasian, 28.2% as African American, and 1.3% as Asian, with 9% identifying with two or more races (as reported by Point2Homes). The gender distribution is nearly balanced, with 48.8% male and 51.2% female (as reported by Point2Homes).

The average annual household income in Toledo was $63,489 in 2024 (as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau). The median income for a renter household was $31,958 in 2022 (as reported by Point2Homes). Toledo has a younger population profile, with about 19.4% of residents being children under 15 and 13.4% in the 15 to 24 age group (as reported by Point2Homes).

Education in Toledo

Toledo’s public school system educates approximately 80% of the city’s K-12 students (as reported by Niche). The public schools in Toledo have an average math proficiency score of 29% and a reading proficiency score of 36%, which are below the state averages for Ohio (as reported by Niche). The top-ranked public schools in Toledo include Ottawa Hills Elementary School, Ottawa Hills High School, and Toledo Early College High School (as reported by Niche).

Despite the overall lower proficiency rates, some schools demonstrate strong performance. For instance, Ottawa Hills Local schools rank highly within the state for both elementary and high school levels (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). However, disparities exist, with some schools facing challenges such as chronic absenteeism and low proficiency rates (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). The Toledo public school district has an overall rating of C+ (as reported by Niche).

Major Employers and Job Growth

Toledo’s economy is anchored by several large employers, particularly in the healthcare and education sectors. ProMedica Health System is a major employer, providing jobs for around 15,000 individuals, and Mercy Health System also employs a significant workforce of approximately 8,800 people (as reported by YouTube). The University of Toledo contributes substantially to the job market, with its main campus and medical center employing thousands (as reported by YouTube).

The manufacturing and automotive industries continue to play a role, with companies like Whirlpool Corporation and FCA US LLC (Stellantis) being significant employers (as reported by YouTube). Toledo is also developing as a hub for innovation, with investments in glass and solar technologies, and advancements in advanced manufacturing (as reported by YouTube). The city has seen the revitalization of industrial spaces, creating opportunities in manufacturing, warehousing, and light assembly sectors (as reported by YouTube).

Climate and Weather Patterns

Toledo experiences a continental climate with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Throughout the year, temperatures typically range from 19°F to 83°F, with rare extremes below 3°F or above 91°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The warmest month is July, with average highs around 83°F and lows near 64°F, while January is the coldest, with average lows around 21°F and highs near 33°F (as reported by Weather Spark).

Rainfall occurs throughout the year, with June typically receiving the most precipitation, averaging 3.1 inches. January sees the least rainfall, with an average of 1.1 inches (as reported by Weather Spark). Snowfall is common during the winter months, contributing to the city’s annual precipitation of approximately 36 inches. The period from May to September generally offers comfortable weather, with daily high temperatures between 65°F and 86°F and lower humidity levels (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Demographics and Population Trends

Toledo is home to a population of approximately 267,463 residents, with a median age of 36 years (as reported by Point2Homes). The city’s population has been experiencing a slight decline, with a projected decrease of -0.44% annually (as reported by World Population Review). The racial composition is predominantly White (57.93%) and African American (28.17%), with smaller percentages of other races and those identifying with two or more races (as reported by World Population Review).

The average household income in Toledo was reported as $63,489 in 2024, with a median income of $49,724 (as reported by Point2Homes). The gender distribution is closely balanced, with 48.8% male and 51.2% female residents (as reported by Point2Homes). A significant portion of the population, 75.9%, lives above the poverty line (as reported by Point2Homes).

Housing Costs and Market Trends

The median home price in Toledo was approximately $133,000 in March 2026, indicating a 6.4% increase year-over-year (as reported by Redfin). Homes typically spend about 49 days on the market, suggesting a somewhat competitive housing environment (as reported by Redfin). The median listing price for a home is around $118,450 (as reported by Realtor.com®).

Rental prices in Toledo are considerably lower than the national average. The average rent for an apartment is $821 per month, which is 50% less than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com). This affordability makes Toledo an attractive option for renters, although rents have seen an increase of 1.79% over the past year, reaching an average of $983 per month (as reported by RentCafe).

Unemployment and Economic Outlook

The unemployment rate in the Toledo Metropolitan Statistical Area was 5.5% in 2024, based on not seasonally adjusted annual data (as reported by FRED). This figure reflects a slight increase from previous years, though historically, Toledo has seen periods of low unemployment, reaching a 10-year low in August 2015 when the regional unemployment rate was 5% (as reported by Wikipedia).

The city’s economic outlook is influenced by its diverse employment base, with strengths in healthcare, education, and manufacturing. Recent investments in innovation and advanced manufacturing suggest a forward-looking approach to job growth, aiming to diversify beyond traditional industries (as reported by YouTube). The average hourly wage in Toledo was $28.65 in May 2024, which is lower than the nationwide average of $32.66 (as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Major Industries and Employment Sectors

Toledo’s employment landscape is dominated by several key industries. Healthcare and social assistance is a major sector, employing a substantial number of residents (as reported by Data USA). Manufacturing also remains a significant employer, providing a large number of jobs within the city (as reported by Data USA).

Retail trade is another important sector contributing to employment in Toledo (as reported by Data USA). The city is actively working to foster growth in newer industries such as solar technology and advanced manufacturing, aiming to create a more diversified and resilient economy for the future (as reported by YouTube). These evolving sectors, alongside established ones, shape the overall employment opportunities available to residents.

Public School Performance

Public schools in Toledo face challenges, with average math and reading proficiency scores below the state average (as reported by Niche). The overall district rating for Toledo Public Schools is a C+ (as reported by Niche). While some schools like Ottawa Hills Elementary and High School are top performers within Ohio, many others struggle with academic achievement and attendance issues (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

The student population in Toledo’s public schools is diverse, with a majority being Black students, which is higher than the state average for Ohio (as reported by Niche). Efforts are underway to improve educational outcomes, but systemic challenges such as poverty continue to impact student performance across the district (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). The graduation rate for Toledo’s public schools is 70% (as reported by Niche).