| Index | Ashland | Kentucky | National |
| Cost of living | 85 | 88 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 94 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 60 | 70 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 95 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 96 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 92 | 94 | 100 |
The cost of living in Ashland affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Ashland is 85, which is 15% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
Housing expenses often consume a significant portion of your net income, occasionally surpassing 30%. Fortunately, housing costs in Ashland are 40.5% below the national average. This highlights the region's exceptional affordability for both homeownership and rentals in comparison to the rest of the country. This favorable housing situation allows residents to allocate a more reasonable fraction of their income to housing, resulting in enhanced financial flexibility and improved overall financial well-being.
Is Ashland an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Ashland is 44.2% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 31.8% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Ashland has a median household income of $62,631, which is 23% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Ashland, healthcare costs are 6.2% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Ashland, the standard sales tax rate starts at 6%, and the income tax rates commence at 4.5%.
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 | $78,381 | $6,532 | $1,829 | $2,352 |
| Renters | $36,293 | $3,024 | $847 | $1,089 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Kentucky | 6% | 6% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Kentucky | 4.5% | 4.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Catlettsburg, KY | 1,882 | 79 | 20.7% |
| Kenova, WV | 3,095 | 80 | 20.1% |
| Lavalette, WV | 1,295 | 80 | 19.7% |
| Wurtland, KY | 1,510 | 82 | 18.4% |
| Chesapeake, OH | 1,208 | 83 | 16.9% |
| Ashland, KY | 21,089 | 85 | 15.2% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Springwater, ON | 21,091 | n/a | |
| Secaucus, NJ | 21,080 | 153 | 52.6% |
| Dorval, QC | 21,098 | n/a | |
| Agoura Hills, CA | 21,069 | 205 | 105.1% |
| American Canyon, CA | 21,061 | 161 | 60.7% |
| Ashland, KY | 21,089 | 85 | 15.2% |
Here are the best places to live in Kentucky
See the best places to live in Ashland
Most Dangerous States In The US
Check out the 10 safest cities in Kentucky