City Comparison

Canton vs Philadelphia

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Canton

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

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania
106
Above Average
$240,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$49,127
Median Income

The Verdict

25.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 25.5%, with Canton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Canton has equivalent purchasing power to $100,633 in Philadelphia.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
48
Canton
107
Philadelphia
Groceries
104
Canton
104
Philadelphia
Utilities
101
Canton
113
Philadelphia
Transportation
94
Canton
108
Philadelphia
Healthcare
103
Canton
101
Philadelphia

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Canton has the same purchasing power as $100,633 in Philadelphia.

Conversely, $75,000 in Philadelphia equals $55,896 in Canton.

Living in Canton vs Philadelphia

Housing Costs

Canton's housing index of 48 is lower Philadelphia's 107, translating to median home prices of $120,000 vs $240,000. The $120,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,800 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Canton compared to $1,400/mo in Philadelphia, a monthly difference of $625.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Canton and 104 in Philadelphia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Canton vs $494/month in Philadelphia. 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 113 in Philadelphia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $404 in Canton vs $452 in Philadelphia. 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 101 in Philadelphia. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $41,500 in Canton and $49,127 in Philadelphia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $52,532 and $46,346 respectively. Canton residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $968/month to housing in Canton vs $1,146/month in Philadelphia. In Canton, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Philadelphia, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 59 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Canton is 25.5% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Canton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $100,633 in Philadelphia, based on the cost of living difference.
Canton's housing index is 48 with median homes at $120,000, while Philadelphia's is 107 with median homes at $240,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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