City Comparison

Newark vs Toledo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Newark

New Jersey
121
Expensive
$340,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$40,014
Median Income

Toledo

Ohio
77
Very Affordable
$128,000
Median Home
$825/mo
Median Rent
$42,200
Median Income

The Verdict

57.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 57.1%, with Toledo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Newark has equivalent purchasing power to $47,727 in Toledo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
149
Newark
55
Toledo
Groceries
103
Newark
98
Toledo
Utilities
118
Newark
92
Toledo
Transportation
115
Newark
101
Toledo
Healthcare
105
Newark
84
Toledo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Newark has the same purchasing power as $47,727 in Toledo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Toledo equals $117,857 in Newark.

Living in Newark vs Toledo

Housing Costs

Newark's housing index of 149 is higher Toledo's 55, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $128,000. The $212,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,776 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Newark compared to $825/mo in Toledo, a monthly difference of $575.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Newark and 98 in Toledo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Newark vs $466/month in Toledo. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 118 in Newark and 92 in Toledo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $472 in Newark vs $368 in Toledo. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 105 in Newark and 84 in Toledo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $40,014 in Newark and $42,200 in Toledo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $33,069 and $54,805 respectively. Toledo residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $934/month to housing in Newark vs $985/month in Toledo. In Newark, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Toledo, median rent of $825/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 94 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Toledo is 57.1% more affordable overall with an index of 77 vs 121.
A $75,000 salary in Newark has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $47,727 in Toledo, based on the cost of living difference.
Newark's housing index is 149 with median homes at $340,000, while Toledo's is 55 with median homes at $128,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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