Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arvada, CO
VS
Toledo, OH
🏆 Arvada leads 15 of 23 categories
Arvada
Colorado
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$106,014 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
75 ✓ Safer
Population
123,066
Toledo
Ohio
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$45,405
Violent Crime Index
274⚠ High
Population
269,962 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arvada, CO
Pros
Households earn $60,609 more per year on average
73% less violent crime than Toledo
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.4 pts lower (3.8%)
More college-educated — 47.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 34°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $553,000
Higher rents — median is $1,706/mo
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Toledo
Property crime (2478.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Toledo, OH
Pros
Homes cost $454k less ($98,800 vs $553,000)
Rent averages $852/mo less ($854 vs $1,706)
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Arvada
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.4)
Smaller class sizes — 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Arvada by $60,609/yr
Violent crime (1041.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2732.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.2% vs 3.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Arvada
Median Income
$60,609
$106,014 vs $45,405/yr
Arvada
Violent Crime
73% lower
285.6 vs 1041.1 per 100k
Arvada
Unemployment
4.4 pp lower
3.8% vs 8.2% unemployment
Arvada
Summer Heat
3.6°F warmer
July avg high 88.2°F vs 84.6°F
Toledo
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 90.4 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Toledo
Median Home Value
$454k less
$98,800 vs $553,000
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Toledo, OH |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High | 90.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $553,000⚠ High | $98,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,706⚠ High | $854 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $106,014 ✓ Higher | $45,405 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min | 19.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 18.7% ✓ Higher | 4.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 92 ✓ Safer | 216⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 ✓ Safer | 274⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High ✓ Safer | 130⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) ✓ Better | C+ (86) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.7:1 | 15.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.6% ✓ Higher | 20.2% |
| High School or Higher | 95.4% ✓ Higher | 88.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jefferson County School District No. R-1 | Toledo City |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.2°F ✓ Warmer | 33.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.2°F ✓ Warmer | 84.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.9" ✓ Drier | 37.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 54.8" | 37.4" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 123,066 | 269,962 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.2 ✓ Older | 35.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.2% ✓ Higher | 52.4% |
| Under 18 | 20.1% | 23.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.5% ✓ More | 14.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arvada's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Toledo's 90.4 (US average = 100).
Toledo is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Arvada leads 15 of 23 categories. Arvada wins 15 and Toledo wins 8. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Arvada to Toledo or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($553,000 vs $98,800 median home), income ($106,014 vs $45,405), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arvada, CO and Toledo, OH are about 1,133 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.