Moving from Tacoma, WA to Toledo, OH
A 2321 mi cross-country move between Tacoma and Toledo is 40h 53m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 9 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2321 mi Β· 40h 53m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β WI β MN β ND β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β WI β MN β ND β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 94, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | South Bend, Chicago, Naperville, Elgin, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | Toledo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 91.455 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 96.285 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 67.317 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 17.7% cheaper overall in Toledo than Tacoma on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
17.7% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Toledo +5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 32.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, TOLEDO METCALF FLD, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 268,461 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $47,532 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 13.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.27 |
Toledo households earn about 17.7% less than Tacoma at the median β $83,857 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 Washington 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
Is Toledo more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Toledo is 17.7% lower than Tacoma (91.455 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Toledo, OH from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 2321 mi and the route typically takes 40h 53m via I 90 and I 94. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Tacoma vs Toledo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $47,532 in Toledo vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 43.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Toledo compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,740 in the Toledo MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA, on total employment of 290,070 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Toledo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2321 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 Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $129,627 in Toledo vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 73.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Toledo, OH.