Toledo wins overall by ~15% (COL index)
Cost of living: Toledo vs Houston (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Toledo buys roughly what $70,370 does in Houston (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$2,895/yr
Favoring Toledo for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $241/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~63 months and still keep ~$29/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Toledo Ohio | Houston Texas | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $850Wins | $1,050 | Toledo wins +$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in Toledo |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,050Wins | $1,350 | Toledo wins +$300/mo | $3,600/yr saves in Toledo |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,400Wins | $1,700 | Toledo wins +$300/mo | $3,600/yr saves in Toledo |
| Median home price | $180KWins | $280K | Toledo wins +$100K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 94Better | 94 | — | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $11Better | $12 | Toledo wins +$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $48Better | $50 | Toledo wins +$2/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $58Wins | $90 | Toledo wins +$32/mo | $384/yr saves in Toledo |
| Gas price/gal | $3.10Better | $3.10 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $148Wins | $190 | Toledo wins +$42/mo | $504/yr saves in Toledo |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $160Better | $175 | Toledo wins +$15/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $58Better | $65 | Toledo wins +$7/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $46K | $56KWins | Houston wins +$10K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 3.5% | 0.0%Wins | Houston wins -3.5 pp | $2,100/yr saves in Houston |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.2%Wins | 8.3% | Toledo wins +1.1 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Wins | $15.00 | Toledo wins +$2.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $33Better | $35 | Toledo wins +$2/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00Wins | $6.00 | Toledo wins +$1.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 81Wins | 95 | Toledo wins +14 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 42 | 49Wins | Houston wins +7 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$2,100/yr tax difference into cash back
Toledo fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Toledo.
High-yield savings
Park ~$3,600/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Toledo cheaper than Houston?
Yes. Toledo is 15% cheaper than Houston based on overall cost of living indices (81 vs 95, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Toledo vs Houston?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Toledo is $1,050/month and in Houston is $1,350/month. Toledo is cheaper by 22%.
How much do I need to earn in Houston to match a $75,000 salary in Toledo?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $87,963/year in Houston to match a $75,000 salary in Toledo. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Toledo or Houston?
Houston has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 3.5%. Houston has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Toledo to Houston?
It depends on your priorities. Toledo offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Toledo ↔ Houston
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