Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Toledo, OH
It is 2386 mi and 41h 33m from Santa Clara to Toledo β a cross-country move across 9 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2386 mi Β· 41h 33m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | South Bend, Chicago, Joliet, Naperville, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clara | Toledo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 91.455 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 96.285 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 67.317 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 17.2% cheaper overall in Toledo than Santa Clara on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
17.2% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Santa Clara -1.1%, Toledo +5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clara | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 32.4" |
Expect 9.3Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, TOLEDO METCALF FLD, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clara | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 268,461 |
| Median household income | $173,670 | $47,532 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 13.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.27 |
Expect median household income to fall 17.2% β $173,670 β $47,532 per ACS 5-year estimates (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
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Santa Clara to Toledo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2386 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Toledo more expensive than Santa Clara?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Toledo is 17.2% lower than Santa Clara (91.455 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Toledo compared to Santa Clara?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $129,627 in Toledo vs $1,782,192 in Santa Clara β a 92.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Santa Clara vs Toledo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $47,532 in Toledo vs $173,670 in Santa Clara β a 72.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Toledo, OH from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance is 2386 mi and the route typically takes 41h 33m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Toledo compare to Santa Clara?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,740 in the Toledo MSA vs $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA, on total employment of 290,070 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Clara.
City profiles: Santa Clara, CA Β· Toledo, OH.