City Comparison

Canton vs Lakewood

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Canton

Ohio
79
Very Affordable
$120,000
Median Home
$775/mo
Median Rent
$41,500
Median Income

Lakewood

Colorado
133
Expensive
$574,000
Median Home
$1,850/mo
Median Rent
$83,800
Median Income

The Verdict

40.6%

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

Housing
48
Canton
188
Lakewood
Groceries
104
Canton
101
Lakewood
Utilities
101
Canton
85
Lakewood
Transportation
94
Canton
114
Lakewood
Healthcare
103
Canton
84
Lakewood

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

Canton is 40.6% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 133.
A $75,000 salary in Canton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $126,266 in Lakewood, based on the cost of living difference.
Canton's housing index is 48 with median homes at $120,000, while Lakewood's is 188 with median homes at $574,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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