What You MUST Know Before Living In Canton Michigan - If you’re thinking about making the move to Canton Michigan, or just want to get a sense of what this southeast Michigan city is like, I highly suggest you stick around so you can hear all about why you should move here and maybe why you shouldn’t.

For those of you that don’t know, Canton is a charter township located east of Ann Arbor and west of Detroit, it’s 36.14 square miles in size with a population of around 100,000 people. The question that often arises is, why do people want to live there? And why do people want to leave there? Let’s get to it.

Cost of Living in Canton, Michigan

Home Prices & Affordability

One of the biggest topics people ask about when considering Canton is the cost of living, especially housing. While the pandemic caused intense competition across Metro Detroit — bidding wars, limited inventory, and rising prices — Canton emerged as a community where many buyers felt they could stretch their dollar compared to nearby areas.

This is something you’ve likely seen first-hand: buyers redirected their home search to Canton because of the balance between price, home size, and amenities.

MLS data over the past three years shows:

• Canton average sale price: ~$388,000
• Up 3.4% year over year
• Nearly $100K higher than the MLS-wide average

Current listings are diverse, ranging from:

• A $140,000 condo (1973 build)
• To a $1.475M historic home (1903)

Most buyers you’ve helped in Canton fall within $250K–$450K, and consistently find that Canton offers:

• Larger homes
• Well-kept subdivisions
• Better layouts
• More neighborhood amenities

…compared to similarly priced homes in nearby areas.

However, Canton’s popularity has caused increased showing traffic and competition, which is something to consider if you’re purchasing at peak pricing.

Economy & Future Outlook in Canton, Michigan

Canton is one of Michigan’s fastest-growing townships, with continuous development in:

• New construction homes
• Condominiums
• Small businesses
• Retail corridors
• Restaurants and services

Its location provides easy access to:

• Ann Arbor
• Detroit
• Plymouth
• DTW Airport
• IKEA (a rare statewide offering and a regional attraction)

According to BestPlaces economic data:

• Unemployment: ~5.6% (slightly better than U.S. average at 6%)
• Recent job growth: Declined slightly (normal for suburban areas)
• Future job growth: ~35% (slightly above U.S. average)

Most residents don’t work directly in Canton, but instead commute to surrounding cities — and Canton’s central location makes that easy.

Cleanliness and Community Maintenance

A frequently mentioned positive among people relocating to Canton is the cleanliness and upkeep of the area. Many newcomers are surprised by how well-maintained the community is:

• Streets are clean
• Landscaping is well kept
• Public spaces are maintained
• Storefronts and plazas avoid the “run-down” look found in some other townships

This reflects positively on:

• Local governance
• City pride
• Overall quality-of-life

It’s not about judging a city by lawn care — it’s about recognizing signs of well-managed community infrastructure.

City Offerings, Neighborhoods & Community Feel

Canton often surprises people in terms of community culture. Despite lacking a traditional downtown, Canton offers:

• Strong, well-established neighborhoods
• Several subdivisions with cul-de-sacs and community green spaces
• Plenty of community events
• Recreation programs and seasonal festivals

Examples include:

• Cherry Hill Village Festival
• Brews, Brats & Bands
• Artoberfest
• Halloween, Thanksgiving & holiday events

Canton also has many attractions — not lakes or waterfront living, but plenty of parks, trails, recreation centers, sports fields, and entertainment options.

It’s common for residents to live in Canton but take advantage of nearby cities (Plymouth, Ann Arbor, Northville) for restaurants and nightlife.

Cons of Living in Canton, Michigan

Con #1 – Ford Road Traffic

Ford Road is the center of Canton life — and the root of many traffic-related complaints.

It’s the main east–west artery through the township and:

• Used by residents
• Used by non-residents
• Packed with businesses
• Frequently trafficked by school buses and commercial vehicles
• Experiences consistent congestion

Because so many communities feed into Ford Road, it’s unavoidable for nearly everyone living in Canton.

If you live in Canton, you will use Ford Road — and you will encounter traffic. The congestion is a byproduct of how desirable and highly populated the area has become.

Con #2 – Flooding Awareness

Flooding is not exclusive to Canton, but Wayne County generally faces periodic flooding during heavy storms due to older infrastructure in some areas.

In Canton, flooding concerns typically relate to:

• Sewer backups
• Sump pump failures
• Downspout issues
• Foundation drainage problems

These are not all township-wide issues — many are individual-home issues based on age, maintenance, and waterproofing.

During the due diligence period, buyers should always:

• Check grading, gutters, and downspouts
• Inspect sump pump operation and backup systems
• Review seller disclosures
• Consider a sewer camera inspection
• Ask about prior water intrusion

Flooding shouldn’t deter you from Canton — but awareness helps avoid future surprises.

Con #3 – Property Taxes

Canton’s millage rates are not unusually high for Southeast Michigan, but homebuyers consistently mention property taxes as a factor.

How to estimate property taxes:

• Millage rate (approx.): ~40 mills
• One mill = $1 per $1,000 of taxable value
• Taxable value = roughly 50% of sale price, capped annually by inflation (or 5%, whichever is lower)

Example using a $300,000 home:

• Taxable value: ~$150,000
• Millage (40 mills → 0.04):
• Estimated taxes: $6,000/year

These only shift slightly year to year; always verify with the local assessor.

Con #4 – No Traditional Downtown

Canton does not have a classic small-town downtown district. Instead, Ford Road acts as the community’s commercial strip, similar to how M-59 functions in White Lake, Highland, and Milford.

Residents looking for a walkable downtown typically visit:

• Plymouth
• Northville
• Ann Arbor

However, many Canton subdivisions still foster a “neighborhood community feel” through:

• Cul-de-sac gatherings
• Sidewalks and walkability
• Park access
• Family-friendly layouts

So while Canton lacks a formal downtown, it still maintains strong community experiences.

Final Thoughts

Canton, Michigan continues to attract residents for its:

• Central location
• Well-maintained neighborhoods
• Diversity of housing
• Accessibility to major cities
• Strong amenities
• Family-friendly subdivisions
• Growing economy

But it also has trade-offs — traffic, taxes, limited downtown offerings, and flooding awareness.

If you’re considering Canton, or evaluating similar Metro Detroit communities, feel free to reach out anytime — I’d be happy to help you navigate your options.