| Index | Kent | Ohio | National |
| Cost of living | 92 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 94 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 83 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 93 | 96 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 99 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 92 | 93 | 100 |

Knowing the cost of living in Kent allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Kent stands at 92, marking it 8% lower than the national average.
In Kent, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Kent will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Wondering if Kent is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Kent, for example, the median home price is 16.3% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 18.4% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Kent boasting a median household income of $54,430, which is 33.1% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.
Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Kent, the housing index comes in at 16.9% lower than the national average.
Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Kent, the utilities index registers 7% lower than the national average.
The Kent cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $121,120 | $10,093 | $2,826 | $3,634 |
| Renters | $31,547 | $2,629 | $736 | $947 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Ohio | 5.75% | 8% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Ohio | 2.76% | 3.99% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Sawyerwood, OH | 1,645 | 79 | 21.4% |
| Limaville, OH | 218 | 84 | 16.2% |
| Akron, OH | 203,042 | 83 | 17.0% |
| Barberton, OH | 26,844 | 83 | 16.7% |
| Ravenna, OH | 11,685 | 86 | 13.8% |
| Kent, OH | 30,369 | 92 | 7.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Desert Hot Springs, CA | 30,374 | 115 | 14.6% |
| Central, LA | 30,353 | 107 | 6.9% |
| Canton, GA | 30,425 | 109 | 9.0% |
| Norwood, MA | 30,301 | 148 | 48.3% |
| Pasadena, MD | 30,445 | 129 | 29.0% |
| Kent, OH | 30,369 | 92 | 7.7% |