Toledo vs Madison: Cost of Living (2026)

A side-by-side comparison of Toledo, OH and Madison, WI, using US Census Bureau data.

MetricToledo, OHMadison, WI
Population269,962268,516
Median household income$45,405$74,895
Median home value$98,800$326,600
Median rent (/mo)$854$1,291

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.

Comparing Toledo, OH and Madison, WI comes down to what you value most. Toledo has the lower median home value, and Toledo has the lower median rent.

Madison has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to live in Toledo or Madison?
By median home value, Toledo is the cheaper of the two ($98,800 vs $326,600). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
Which has higher salaries, Toledo or Madison?
Median household income is $45,405 in Toledo versus $74,895 in Madison, per the US Census Bureau.

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