Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Salem, OR
VS
Toledo, OH
🏆 Salem leads 14 of 23 categories
Salem
Oregon
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.4⚠ High
Median Household Income
$67,540 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
175,754
Toledo
Ohio
9
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.
Salem, OR
Pros
Households earn $22,135 more per year on average
49% less violent crime than Toledo
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (6.1%)
More college-educated — 31.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 34°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $349,500
Violent crime (532.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Toledo
Property crime (2803.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Toledo, OH
Pros
Homes cost $251k less ($98,800 vs $349,500)
Rent averages $370/mo less ($854 vs $1,224)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Salem
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.4)
Smaller class sizes — 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Salem by $22,135/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 6.1%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Salem
Median Income
$22,135
$67,540 vs $45,405/yr
Salem
Violent Crime
49% lower
532.2 vs 1041.1 per 100k
Salem
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
6.1% vs 8.2% unemployment
Toledo
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 90.4 vs 102.4 (100 = US avg)
Toledo
Median Home Value
$251k less
$98,800 vs $349,500
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Salem, OR | Toledo, OH |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.4⚠ High | 90.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $349,500⚠ High | $98,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,224 | $854 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,540 ✓ Higher | $45,405 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.7 min | 19.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 12.3% ✓ Higher | 4.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 137⚠ High ✓ Safer | 216⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 140⚠ High ✓ Safer | 274⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 133⚠ High | 130⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (89) ✓ Better | C+ (86) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.6:1 | 15.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.0% ✓ Higher | 20.2% |
| High School or Higher | 88.5% ✓ Higher | 88.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Salem-Keizer SD 24J | Toledo City |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.4°F ✓ Warmer | 33.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 83.5°F | 84.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.5" | 37.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.1" ✓ Less | 37.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 175,754 | 269,962 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.9 ✓ Older | 35.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% ✓ Higher | 52.4% |
| Under 18 | 23.2% ✓ More | 23.0% |
| Over 65 | 15.3% ✓ More | 14.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Salem's cost of living index is 102.4 vs Toledo's 90.4 (US average = 100).
Toledo is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Salem leads 14 of 23 categories. Salem wins 14 and Toledo wins 9. 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 Salem to Toledo or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($349,500 vs $98,800 median home), income ($67,540 vs $45,405), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Salem, OR and Toledo, OH are about 1,977 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.