Cost of Living in Canton, Ohio: Real Numbers for 2026

Canton’s cost of living sits about 21% below the national average, per BestPlaces.net data accessed April 2026. That gap isn’t theoretical. It shows up in what you pay for rent and groceries, and most of all in what you pay for a house. Stark County’s median home sale price came in at $210,000 in March 2026, up 5% year-over-year and still well under what comparable homes cost in Columbus or any coastal metro. If you’re relocating from a higher-cost area, the purchasing power difference is real and immediate.

For the full picture of what’s available in the Canton, Ohio real estate market, including current inventory and neighborhood breakdowns, that page has the current data.

Last updated: 2026-06-04.

How Canton’s Cost of Living Compares

On BestPlaces.net’s index, where 100 represents the US average, Canton scores 78.7. That means a household budget that barely works in Columbus buys noticeably more purchasing power here. Housing drives most of the discount, but groceries also come in about 24% below the national average (Salary.com, 2025), and day-to-day expenses like dining out and services are cheaper than what you’d find in larger Ohio cities.

One thing national COL calculators miss: Canton City proper charges a 2.5% municipal income tax on wages earned by city residents, per the City of Canton income tax division. On a household earning Stark County’s median income of $69,276, that’s roughly $1,732 a year that the index doesn’t capture. If you live in an unincorporated township like Jackson or Plain, there’s no township income tax at all (Ohio law doesn’t let townships levy one), though you’ll still owe a workplace city’s tax on wages earned inside its limits. Where you land within Stark County affects your actual tax burden as much as the county-level index does.

Housing Costs in Stark County

Stark County’s median sale price hit $210,000 in March 2026, with homes selling at 100% of asking price on average. That figure covers the full county, and the range inside it is dramatic. Canton City School District properties had a median of $98,000 in March 2026. Jackson Local School District came in at $360,500. Same county, same month, $260,000 apart. Generic cost-of-living sites that report a single “Canton” number are almost always pulling city-boundary data, which understates the county median by a wide margin.

In March 2026, 25% of Stark County closings were under $150,000. Another 37% fell between $150,000 and $250,000. If you’re coming from a market where $300,000 doesn’t get you much, those numbers are going to feel different. Premium suburban markets run higher: North Canton’s March 2026 median was $273,000 and Jackson Township‘s was $360,500, per Stark County MLS data, with districts rated 5 and 4.5 stars overall on the 2024-25 Ohio School Report Cards (North Canton City and Jackson Local, respectively). Entry-level inventory in Canton proper starts under $100,000. There’s a real range here, which is more than you can say for most markets at either extreme.

Inventory is tight. Stark County had 1.84 months of supply in March 2026, well below the 6-month threshold for a balanced market. Expect competition in the $200,000 to $300,000 range, where most of the activity concentrates.

Renting in Canton

The median 2-bedroom apartment in Canton rents for around $973 per month as of 2024-2025, per Apartments.com and RentCafe. The overall average across all unit sizes is closer to $755 per month. Studios start around $600 in the Canton listings I see. The $973 median runs roughly 49% below the national median 2-bedroom rent of $1,903 per month (Zumper National Rent Report, May 2026).

If you’re deciding between renting and buying here, run the actual numbers. On a $210,000 home with 5% down and a 6.5% rate, principal and interest come to $1,261 a month, about $290 more than the $973 median two-bedroom rent before taxes and insurance, but inside the $1,100 to $1,400 that newer suburban two-bedrooms in North Canton and Jackson Township typically ask, based on what I see working this market. At that point you’re paying comparable money and building equity instead of none. Our guide to buying a home in Ohio walks through the full process, including what closing costs actually look like in Stark County.

Property Taxes

Stark County property taxes are not low. They vary by school district, and the differences are large enough to change your housing budget meaningfully. Ohio millage applies to taxable value, 35 percent of market value. On a $200,000 home, annual taxes range from about $2,566 in Marlington Local up to about $3,953 in Massillon City Schools. The most popular residential areas for buyers moving into the county, including Jackson Township, North Canton, and Plain Township, fall between $2,916 and $3,508 per year.

Ohio taxes residential property at 35% of appraised value, then applies the district millage rate to that assessed value. The result is an effective rate of roughly 1.3% to 2.0% of market value annually, depending on which district you’re in. That’s above the national average effective property tax rate of about 0.9% (per ATTOM’s 2024 data). It’s the main asterisk on Canton’s cost-of-living advantage, particularly if you’re relocating from a state with low property taxes. The Stark County property tax guide has the full district-by-district breakdown with worked examples on specific home prices.

Utilities

Ohio’s electricity rates run around 16 to 17 cents per kilowatt-hour, which is close to the national average of roughly 18 cents/kWh (EIA, 2024). Ohio is also a deregulated electricity market, meaning you can shop providers and potentially lock in rates below the default utility. Where Ohio clearly wins is natural gas: rates averaged $13.94 per thousand cubic feet in January 2026 (EIA), below the national average. In an older Ohio home with gas heat, that adds up through the winter. Much of Stark County’s housing stock dates to the mid-1900s, and older homes here tend to be gas-heated.

Groceries and Everyday Expenses

Groceries run about 24% below the national average in the Canton area (Salary.com/Livingcost.org, 2025). The major grocery chains here are Giant Eagle, Meijer, Aldi, and Walmart. Hartville Marketplace, about 10 miles southeast of Canton on State Route 619, draws buyers from across the county for produce and specialty goods at prices you won’t find at the chains. Dining out is similarly cheaper than what you’d pay in Columbus or Cleveland. A sit-down dinner for two at a mid-range Canton restaurant typically lands between $35 and $55 in my experience, and the same night out costs noticeably more in Columbus or Cleveland.

Transportation

Plan on owning a car. Canton and Stark County are built around the automobile, and there’s no realistic alternative for most residents. SARTA (Stark Area Regional Transit Authority) runs bus routes through the county, but service frequency and coverage are limited enough that most people don’t rely on it for daily commutes. Akron Metro’s bus system does not extend into Stark County at all. If you’re relocating from a city where you didn’t own a car, factor in the full cost: purchase price, insurance, fuel, and maintenance. Full-coverage auto insurance in Ohio averages $1,842 a year, with state-minimum coverage closer to $498, per Bankrate (February 2026).

The location does have real advantages for drivers. Canton sits at the junction of I-77 and US-30, with straightforward access to Akron (30 miles), Cleveland (60 miles), Columbus (120 miles), and Pittsburgh (120 miles). A lot of residents commute to Akron or Cleveland for work while living in Stark County specifically for the lower housing costs. That math works if you’re commuting two or three days a week. It’s less compelling as a full-time daily commute.

Income Context

Stark County’s median household income was $69,276 in 2024, per Census Bureau ACS 2024 1-year data. That’s below Ohio’s median of $72,212 and below the national median of $81,604. On paper, that looks like a disadvantage. The COL discount changes the picture: a $69,276 income in Stark County stretches to roughly $88,000 of buying power at the US-average cost of living, based on the area’s 78.7 cost-of-living index (BestPlaces, where 100 is the national average). The wages are lower, but so is the cost of most things you spend those wages on.

As an e-Pro certified REALTOR® working Stark County for the past several years, I hear this from relocating buyers regularly. People moving here from Pittsburgh, Columbus, or Cleveland consistently tell me that the first six months felt like a raise. The salary gap is real. So is the purchasing power difference.

Canton vs. Other Ohio Cities

The table below compares Canton/Stark County to four other Ohio metros. Housing prices use MLS data for Stark County (March 2026) and Zillow estimates for other cities (2025). Rent figures are from Apartments.com and RentCafe (2024-2025). Income figures are county-level medians from Census ACS 2024 1-year. COL indices are from BestPlaces.net (April 2026) and are approximate for non-Canton cities.

City/Metro	COL Index (US=100)	Median Home Price	Median 2BR Rent	Median HHI (County)
Canton/Stark County	78.7	$210,000	$973/mo	$69,276
Columbus (Franklin County)	~89	~$270,000	~$1,400/mo	$76,536
Cleveland (Cuyahoga County)	~81	~$140,000	~$1,100/mo	$65,974
Akron (Summit County)	~77	~$120,000	~$900/mo	$69,797
Youngstown (Mahoning County)	~67	~$70,000	~$750/mo	$57,167

Sources: BestPlaces.net (COL index, April 2026); Stark County MLS (Canton median, March 2026); Zillow estimates (other cities, 2025); Apartments.com/RentCafe (rent, 2024-2025); US Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (county-level median household income). Non-Canton COL indices and home prices are estimates and may vary by source.

A few things stand out in that comparison. Youngstown is cheaper on every metric, but the income numbers are weak enough to undercut the affordability story. Cleveland has lower home prices than Canton but lower household incomes too, which means the rent-to-income ratio isn’t as favorable as the headline figures suggest. Akron is Canton’s closest competitor on most metrics. Columbus costs more for housing and rent, offers higher wages, and concentrates more job opportunities. Canton lands in a reasonable middle position: stronger housing stock than Akron and Youngstown at similar price points, meaningfully lower housing costs than Columbus, and suburban neighborhoods that compete with anything in the region at that price tier.

For a breakdown of which Stark County neighborhoods offer what, the Stark County neighborhoods guide covers all ten priority areas with current market data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Canton, Ohio compared to the national average?

Canton’s cost of living is approximately 21% below the US average, per BestPlaces.net (April 2026). Housing accounts for most of the discount, with a county-wide median sale price of $210,000 in March 2026. Groceries also run about 24% below the national average, and day-to-day expenses are consistently cheaper than comparable Ohio metros.

How much does it cost to rent a 2-bedroom apartment in Canton, Ohio?

The median 2-bedroom rent in Canton runs about $973 per month (Apartments.com/RentCafe, 2024-2025). Average rent across all unit sizes is closer to $755 per month. Newer suburban apartments in North Canton and Jackson Township typically ask $1,100 to $1,400 for a two-bedroom, based on what I see working this market.

Is it cheaper to live in Canton, Ohio than in Columbus?

Yes, by about 9% overall, per Salary.com’s 2025 city comparison. Housing is the biggest difference: Stark County’s median of $210,000 versus Columbus metro’s roughly $270,000. Rent and groceries also come in lower. The tradeoff is that Columbus wages tend to run higher and the job market is larger.

What is the median household income in Stark County?

Stark County’s median household income was $69,276 in 2024, per Census Bureau ACS 2024 1-year data. That’s below Ohio’s median of $72,212 and below the national figure of $81,604. The lower cost of living partially offsets the gap in real purchasing power.

How much are property taxes on a home in Canton, Ohio?

Property taxes in Stark County depend on school district (Ohio millage applies to taxable value, 35 percent of market value). On a $200,000 home, annual taxes range from about $2,566 (Marlington Local) to about $3,953 (Massillon City Schools). The most popular residential districts (Jackson Township, North Canton, Plain Township) fall between $2,916 and $3,508 per year. The Stark County property tax guide has the full district breakdown.

Do I need a car to live in Canton, Ohio?

Yes. Stark County is car-dependent. SARTA provides local bus service but with limited coverage and frequency. Akron Metro does not extend into Stark County. Budget for a vehicle, insurance, and fuel if you’re relocating from an urban area where you didn’t own a car.

Is Canton, Ohio affordable for first-time homebuyers?

More so than most Ohio metros. In March 2026, 25% of Stark County closings were under $150,000 and another 37% fell in the $150,000 to $250,000 range. Ohio also has several first-time buyer programs including OHFA’s Down Payment Assistance (3% or 3.5% of the purchase price, forgivable after seven years; verify current terms at ohfa.org). The Ohio first-time homebuyer programs guide covers current income limits and program details.

How does Canton compare to Cleveland and Akron for cost of living?

Akron is the closest comparison to Canton overall. Cleveland’s city core has lower home prices but also lower household incomes, so the value doesn’t automatically favor Cleveland when you factor in rent-to-income ratios. Canton’s county-wide $210,000 median sits above both, but Stark County’s suburban neighborhoods and school district options tend to be stronger at that price point than what Summit or Cuyahoga County offers for the same money.