Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Toledo, OH
VS
Topeka, KS
🏆 Topeka leads 17 of 23 categories
Toledo
Ohio
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.4
Median Household Income
$45,405
Violent Crime Index
274⚠ High
Population
269,962 ✓ Larger
Topeka
Kansas
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
85.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$54,052 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
225⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
126,431
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Toledo, OH
Pros
Homes cost $26k less ($98,800 vs $124,700)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.4)
Cons
Violent crime (1041.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Topeka by $8,647/yr
Property crime (2732.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.2% vs 5.0%)
Topeka, KS
Pros
18% less violent crime than Toledo
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.2 pts lower (5.0%)
Households earn $8,647 more per year on average
More college-educated — 28.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.9)
Milder winters — January highs near 40°F vs 34°F
Cons
Violent crime (856.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3642.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Toledo
Median Home Value
$26k less
$98,800 vs $124,700
Topeka
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 85.9 vs 90.4 (100 = US avg)
Topeka
Median Income
$8,647
$54,052 vs $45,405/yr
Topeka
Violent Crime
18% lower
856.5 vs 1041.1 per 100k
Topeka
Unemployment
3.2 pp lower
5.0% vs 8.2% unemployment
Topeka
Summer Heat
3.9°F warmer
July avg high 88.5°F vs 84.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Toledo, OH | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.4 | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $98,800 ✓ Lower | $124,700 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $854 ✓ Lower | $926 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $45,405 | $54,052 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.9 min | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 4.6% | 8.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 216⚠ High | 205⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 274⚠ High | 225⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 130⚠ High ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (86) | B (102) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.2:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 20.2% | 28.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.1% | 91.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Toledo City | Topeka Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 33.6°F | 39.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.6°F | 88.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 37.0" ✓ Drier | 37.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 37.4" | 17.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 269,962 ✓ Larger | 126,431 |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 37.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.4% | 59.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.0% ✓ More | 22.4% |
| Over 65 | 14.8% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Toledo's cost of living index is 90.4 vs Topeka's 85.9 (US average = 100).
Topeka is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Topeka leads 17 of 23 categories. Toledo wins 6 and Topeka wins 17. 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 Toledo to Topeka or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($98,800 vs $124,700 median home), income ($45,405 vs $54,052), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Toledo, OH and Topeka, KS are about 663 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.