Philadelphia vs Toledo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Philadelphia
Toledo
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 37.7%, with Toledo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Philadelphia has equivalent purchasing power to $54,481 in Toledo.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Philadelphia has the same purchasing power as $54,481 in Toledo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Toledo equals $103,247 in Philadelphia.
Living in Philadelphia vs Toledo
Housing Costs
Philadelphia's housing index of 107 is higher Toledo's 55, translating to median home prices of $240,000 vs $128,000. The $112,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,284 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Philadelphia compared to $825/mo in Toledo, a monthly difference of $575.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Philadelphia and 98 in Toledo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Philadelphia vs $466/month in Toledo. Toledo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 113 in Philadelphia and 92 in Toledo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in Philadelphia 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 101 in Philadelphia and 84 in Toledo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $49,127 in Philadelphia and $42,200 in Toledo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $46,346 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 $1,146/month to housing in Philadelphia vs $985/month in Toledo. In Philadelphia, 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 52 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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