Moving from Columbus, OH to Toledo, OH
It is a 150 mi drive, roughly 3h, between Columbus, OH and Toledo, OH. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
150 mi · 3h by car · OH
Distance & route
| Route through | OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | SR 15, US 23, I 75 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Columbus | Toledo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.469 | 91.455 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.523 | 96.285 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 87.945 | 67.317 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 95.469 vs 91.455 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 4.2% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $245,979 to $129,627 moving to Toledo.
YoY change: Columbus -0.5%, Toledo +5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Columbus | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 21°F | 20°F |
| July avg high | 85°F | 85°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 44.7" | 32.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Columbus (52.8°F) and Toledo (51.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: COLUMBUS WCMH, OH US, TOLEDO METCALF FLD, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Columbus | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 268,461 |
| Median household income | $65,327 | $47,532 |
| Median age | 33 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.1% | 13.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.34 | 2.27 |
Toledo households earn about 4.2% less than Columbus at the median — $65,327 → $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.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
When is the best time to move from Columbus to Toledo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 150 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Toledo, OH from Columbus, OH?
The driving distance is 150 mi and the route typically takes 3h via SR 15 and US 23. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Toledo more expensive than Columbus?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Toledo is 4.2% lower than Columbus (91.455 vs 95.469, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Toledo compare to Columbus?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,740 in the Toledo MSA vs $47,970 in the Columbus MSA, on total employment of 290,070 and 1,067,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Columbus vs Toledo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $47,532 in Toledo vs $65,327 in Columbus — a 27.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Toledo compared to Columbus?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $129,627 in Toledo vs $245,979 in Columbus — a 47.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Columbus.
City profiles: Columbus, OH · Toledo, OH.