CostIndexUSA

Chicago, IL vs Toledo, OH Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IL
Chicago
103.6
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableOH
Toledo
91.5
overall index
$1,150/mo rent

Toledo is moderately cheaper than Chicago — 11.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chicago, you would need $70,700 in Toledo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing39.9%
Chicago
112
Toledo
67.3
🛒 Groceries12.8%
Chicago
107.3
Toledo
93.6
🚗 Transportation1.5%
Chicago
105.5
Toledo
103.9
🏥 Healthcare1.6%
Chicago
95.5
Toledo
94
Utilities+15.2%
Chicago
83.6
Toledo
96.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Chicago to see what you'd need to earn in Toledo to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Toledo, OH
$70,700
$9,300 less needed in Toledo

Formula: salary × (91.5 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 0.8832. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$334,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
112
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Toledo, OH

Median Home Price
$190,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,150
Housing Index
67.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.8×

Chicago has 39.9% lower housing costs compared to Toledo.

Income & Job Market

Chicago, IL

Median Household Income
$87,100
Per Capita Income
$49,600
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
2,693,976
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareManufacturingTechnologyRetail

Toledo, OH

Median Household Income
$63,100
Per Capita Income
$36,000
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
270,871
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareGovernmentRetailEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Chicago, IL
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Toledo, OH
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.