Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Toledo, OH
It is a 471 mi drive, roughly 8h 51m, between Cedar Rapids, IA and Toledo, OH. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
471 mi Β· 8h 51m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 280 |
| Major cities en route | South Bend, Chicago, Naperville, Joliet, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | Toledo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.963 | 91.455 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.981 | 96.285 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.447 | 67.317 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 88.963 vs 91.455 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 2.8% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $204,112 to $129,627 moving to Toledo.
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, Toledo +5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 32.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Cedar Rapids (48.3Β°F) and Toledo (51.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, TOLEDO METCALF FLD, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 268,461 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $47,532 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 13.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.27 |
Toledo households earn about 2.8% less than Cedar Rapids at the median β $67,859 β $47,532 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Toledo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,160 | $39,900 |
| Production Occupations | 31,420 | $45,220 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 30,850 | $41,570 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 27,870 | $28,590 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,710 | $32,930 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Toledo compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,740 in the Toledo MSA vs $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA, on total employment of 290,070 and 140,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Cedar Rapids vs Toledo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $47,532 in Toledo vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 30.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Toledo, OH from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 471 mi and the route typically takes 8h 51m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Toledo more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Toledo is 2.8% higher than Cedar Rapids (91.455 vs 88.963, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Cedar Rapids to Toledo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 471 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Toledo compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $129,627 in Toledo vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 36.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cedar Rapids.
City profiles: Cedar Rapids, IA Β· Toledo, OH.