Moving from San Francisco, CA to Toledo, OH
A 2385 mi cross-country move between San Francisco and Toledo is 42h 1m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 9 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2385 mi Β· 42h 1m by car Β· CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, CA 37 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Rosa, Richmond, Vallejo, Berkeley, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Francisco | Toledo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 91.455 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 96.285 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 67.317 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 20.9% cheaper overall price level β 115.613 β 91.455 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
20.9% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: San Francisco +5.0%, Toledo +5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Francisco | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 62Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 20.6" | 32.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US, TOLEDO METCALF FLD, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Francisco | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 268,461 |
| Median household income | $141,446 | $47,532 |
| Median age | 39.7 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 13.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 2.27 |
Toledo households earn about 20.9% less than San Francisco at the median β $141,446 β $47,532 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Toledo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,160 | $39,900 |
| Production Occupations | 31,420 | $45,220 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 30,850 | $41,570 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 27,870 | $28,590 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,710 | $32,930 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
Is Toledo more expensive than San Francisco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Toledo is 20.9% lower than San Francisco (91.455 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in San Francisco vs Toledo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $47,532 in Toledo vs $141,446 in San Francisco β a 66.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Toledo compare to San Francisco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,740 in the Toledo MSA vs $72,050 in the San Francisco MSA, on total employment of 290,070 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Toledo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2385 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Toledo compared to San Francisco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $129,627 in Toledo vs $1,356,662 in San Francisco β a 90.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Toledo, OH from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance is 2385 mi and the route typically takes 42h 1m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Francisco.
City profiles: San Francisco, CA Β· Toledo, OH.