Canton vs Lakewood
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Canton
Lakewood
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 40.6%, with Canton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Canton has equivalent purchasing power to $126,266 in Lakewood.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Canton has the same purchasing power as $126,266 in Lakewood.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lakewood equals $44,549 in Canton.
Living in Canton vs Lakewood
Housing Costs
Canton's housing index of 48 is lower Lakewood's 188, translating to median home prices of $120,000 vs $574,000. The $454,000 difference in home prices means roughly $29,508 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Canton compared to $1,850/mo in Lakewood, a monthly difference of $1,075.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Canton and 101 in Lakewood. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Canton vs $480/month in Lakewood. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 101 in Canton and 85 in Lakewood. Monthly utility bills average approximately $404 in Canton vs $340 in Lakewood. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Canton and 84 in Lakewood. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $41,500 in Canton and $83,800 in Lakewood. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $52,532 and $63,008 respectively. Lakewood residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $968/month to housing in Canton vs $1,955/month in Lakewood. In Canton, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 140 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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