| Index | Ashland | California | National |
| Cost of living | 162 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 109 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 115 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 273 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 118 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 117 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 117 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 109 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 121 | 127 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Ashland is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Ashland is 162, which is 62% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Ashland may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Ashland falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Ashland cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 172.5% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
Is Ashland affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Ashland, for instance, where the median home price falls 215.6% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 72% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Ashland flaunting a median household income of $97,546, 19.9% higher than the national norm.
Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.
Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Ashland, the groceries index is 8.7% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Ashland, healthcare costs are 15.4% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for Ashland shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| 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 | $133,001 | $11,083 | $3,103 | $3,990 |
| Renters | $86,977 | $7,248 | $2,029 | $2,610 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| California | 7.25% | 10.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| California | 1% | 13.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| San Miguel CDP (San Luis Obispo County), CA | 2,800 | 130 | 29.5% |
| Cherryland, CA | 16,430 | 160 | 60.4% |
| Emeryville, CA | 12,131 | 171 | 71.1% |
| Hayward, CA | 163,491 | 173 | 72.6% |
| San Lorenzo, CA | 31,094 | 169 | 69.4% |
| Ashland, CA | 24,254 | 162 | 62.0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Bailey's Crossroads, VA | 24,246 | 136 | 35.6% |
| Apollo Beach, FL | 24,263 | 122 | 21.9% |
| Oak Harbor, WA | 24,266 | 123 | 22.7% |
| North Augusta, SC | 24,271 | 98 | 1.9% |
| Monsey, NY | 24,236 | 169 | 69.1% |
| Ashland, CA | 24,254 | 162 | 62.0% |
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