renting in Canton, Ohio | rental bestie

Canton doesn't get talked about much in Ohio rental circles but it probably should -- especially if you're priced out of Akron or just want to stretch your budget as far as possible. Rents here are genuinely low and the city has enough going on to not feel completely dead. The Pro Football Hall of Fame is here (yes really), which sounds like a random tourism fact but actually drives some economic activity year-round.

It's about 25 minutes from Akron and an hour from Cleveland, so if you can work remotely or have flexibility in your commute, Canton gives you access to a bigger metro's job market without paying metro prices. The neighborhood quality varies quite a bit so doing your homework on specific areas is important.

where to live

neighborhoods in canton

Downtown Canton

$750/mo avg

small downtown, some revitalization, closer to employment and amenities

best for: people who want to be central without paying a lot

Walsh University area

$700/mo avg

north Canton, near the university, residential, decent amenities

best for: students, people who want a quieter but active area

Plain Township

$850/mo avg

suburban, north of Canton, good schools, safer, family-friendly

best for: families who want suburban living near Canton

Massillon

$625/mo avg

adjacent city to the west, even more affordable, its own small downtown

best for: budget-focused renters who need maximum affordability

before you sign

renter tips for canton

Canton has a very car-dependent layout -- there's no real public transit to speak of. Make sure you have reliable transportation before committing.
Stark County has public property records at the auditor's website -- always check who actually owns the property before signing.
The Akron commute is very doable if you find work there but don't want to pay Akron rents. I-77 connects the two cities directly.
Plain Township and North Canton are technically separate from Canton city limits -- they have their own school districts and tend to have better maintained properties.

watch out

red flags

Some parts of inner-city Canton have had ongoing issues with absentee landlords and deferred maintenance -- research specific streets, not just the general area.
Watch out for 'month-to-month' only landlords in lower-end properties -- it can mean they're not interested in actual tenants, just collecting rent without maintaining the unit.

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