True Cost of Renting in Toledo, OH

Toledo sits on the western tip of Lake Erie at the Michigan border, historically powered by auto manufacturing (Jeep/Stellantis), glass manufacturing (Owens Corning, O-I Glass), and the University of Toledo. Rents are among the most affordable in Ohio, making it attractive for healthcare workers, university employees, and remote workers seeking maximum housing value.

Neighborhoods & Average Rents

Westgate

Studio:
$600/mo
1 Bed:
$800/mo
2 Bed:
$1,100/mo

West Toledo neighborhood with the most desirable residential character; craftsman-style homes converted to rentals and mid-century apartment buildings. Best school districts in Toledo proper. FirstEnergy/Toledo Edison electric. Car-dependent.

Ottawa Hills / Sylvania

1 Bed:
$900/mo
2 Bed:
$1,300/mo

Most affluent Toledo suburban area; limited apartment inventory but the units available are premium. Ottawa Hills is an enclave municipality with nationally recognized schools. Sylvania has newer apartment complexes. Higher rents but exceptional school districts.

Downtown Toledo

Studio:
$550/mo
1 Bed:
$750/mo
2 Bed:
$1,100/mo

Revitalizing urban core with converted office and factory lofts; 5/3 Field (baseball) and Huntington Center arena nearby. Toledo Museum of Art on the edge of Downtown. TARTA bus hub. Best walkability in Toledo. Affordable loft apartments in former warehouse buildings.

Utility Providers

Electric
Toledo Edison (FirstEnergy)
Water
City of Toledo Water Distribution
Internet
Buckeye Broadband, Spectrum, AT&T Internet

Commute & Transportation

Toledo is at the intersection of I-75 (Detroit 60 miles north, Columbus 145 miles south) and I-80/90 (Indiana and Chicago to the west). No passenger rail. Toledo Express Airport (TOL) offers limited flights. The Jeep Assembly Complex (Stellantis) on Stickney Avenue is one of the city's largest employers. The University of Toledo (22,000 students) anchors the west side. Toledo is often described as a crossroads metro — significant distribution and logistics employment due to the I-75 and I-80/90 intersection, with Amazon, Dollar Tree, and Procter & Gamble distribution centers nearby.

Rental Market Overview

Toledo is one of Ohio's most affordable cities for renters. 1BR apartments for $750–900 are realistic in desirable areas. The auto manufacturing and glass industry employment base was historically union-wage, which supports rental demand above poverty-level housing. Toledo Edison rates are in line with other FirstEnergy Ohio utilities. The city has seen limited population growth, which keeps rents from rising — but also limits the reinvestment that drives urban neighborhood improvements. For renters focused purely on housing cost efficiency, Toledo is exceptional value in a Great Lakes city with genuine infrastructure and healthcare access.

Data last updated: 2026-04

Compare Apartments in Toledo

Enter your rental options below to see the true all-in monthly cost.

Renting in Toledo: Common Questions

What is the average rent in Toledo?
One-bedroom apartments in Toledo range from $750/month in Downtown Toledo to $900/month in Ottawa Hills / Sylvania. Two-bedroom units range from $1,100 to $1,300/month. These are base rents — add fees, utilities, and amenity costs to get the true all-in monthly cost.
What utilities do I need to set up in Toledo?
In Toledo, electricity is provided by Toledo Edison (FirstEnergy), water by City of Toledo Water Distribution, and common internet providers include Buckeye Broadband, Spectrum, AT&T Internet. Ask the leasing office for the specific unit's average monthly bill rather than a city-wide figure — utility costs vary more by building age and insulation than by location within Toledo.
What neighborhoods are affordable in Toledo?
Downtown Toledo is the most affordable of the 3 Toledo neighborhoods covered here, at $750/month for a one-bedroom — $150 less than Ottawa Hills / Sylvania, roughly a 17% gap. That swing is often bigger than any fee or amenity difference between two buildings in the same neighborhood, which is why comparing across neighborhoods matters as much as comparing within one.
Is Toledo expensive to rent in?
Across the 3 neighborhoods covered here, the average one-bedroom in Toledo runs about $817/month before fees, utilities, and amenities are added — and those add-ons are exactly what a bare average hides. Toledo is one of Ohio's most affordable cities for renters. Run the specific units you are considering through RentCompare to see the true all-in monthly cost rather than relying on an area average.

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