Moving from South Bend, IN to Toledo, OH
Moving from South Bend, IN to Toledo, OH covers 154 mi and about 2h 58m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
154 mi Β· 2h 58m by car Β· OH β IN
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, SR 2 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| South Bend | Toledo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.858 | 91.455 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.733 | 96.285 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.221 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 74.586 | 67.317 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for South Bend (92.858) and Toledo (91.455) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Toledo: 1.5% below South Bend on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: South Bend +4.9%, Toledo +5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | South Bend | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.9" | 32.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: S BEND, IN US, TOLEDO METCALF FLD, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | South Bend | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 268,461 |
| Median household income | $52,512 | $47,532 |
| Median age | 33.9 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 13.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.27 |
Median household income in Toledo is 1.5% below South Bend ($52,512 β $47,532, 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 Indiana 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 much do homes cost in Toledo compared to South Bend?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $129,627 in Toledo vs $192,340 in South Bend β a 32.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Toledo more expensive than South Bend?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Toledo is 1.5% lower than South Bend (91.455 vs 92.858, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Toledo compare to South Bend?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,740 in the Toledo MSA vs $44,420 in the South Bend MSA, on total employment of 290,070 and 129,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Toledo, OH from South Bend, IN?
The driving distance is 154 mi and the route typically takes 2h 58m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from South Bend to Toledo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 154 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in South Bend vs Toledo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $47,532 in Toledo vs $52,512 in South Bend β a 9.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from South Bend.
City profiles: South Bend, IN Β· Toledo, OH.