Moving from Toledo, OH to Los Angeles, CA
Cross-country relocations like Toledo, OH β Los Angeles, CA cover 2254 mi and about 39h 52m of driving through 10 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2254 mi Β· 39h 52m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Toledo | Los Angeles | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.455 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.285 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 67.317 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall price level in Los Angeles runs 24.2% higher than Toledo β a substantial step-up on the BEA Regional Price Parity (91.455 β 113.566, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Los Angeles is 24.2% above Toledo β $129,627 vs $952,183 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Toledo +5.4%, Los Angeles -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Toledo | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 48Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 32.4" | 14.1" |
Climate warms by 12.4Β°F on the annual average β 51.4Β°F β 63.8Β°F.
Los Angeles gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TOLEDO METCALF FLD, OH US, CULVER CITY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Toledo | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,461 | 3,857,897 |
| Median household income | $47,532 | $80,366 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.7% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.72 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 24.2% between Toledo and Los Angeles (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Los Angeles MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Ohio and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Los Angeles sees only 14.1 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.4Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Los Angeles, CA from Toledo, OH?
The driving distance is 2254 mi and the route typically takes 39h 52m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Toledo to Los Angeles?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2254 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Los Angeles more expensive than Toledo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Los Angeles is 24.2% higher than Toledo (113.566 vs 91.455, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Toledo vs Los Angeles?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,366 in Los Angeles vs $47,532 in Toledo β a 69.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Los Angeles compare to Toledo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA vs $45,740 in the Toledo MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 290,070 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Los Angeles compared to Toledo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $952,183 in Los Angeles vs $129,627 in Toledo β a 634.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Toledo.
City profiles: Toledo, OH Β· Los Angeles, CA.