Ashland 64 Average
Ashland Livability #304 ranked city in Kentucky#14,462 ranked city in the USARanks better than 50% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Ashland

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.

  • Housing Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

  • Employment Employment

    A low score in the employment category could indicate that this area struggles with high unemployment rates and low household income and income per capita levels.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Poor air quality and the inaccessibility of certain health related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies could have all contributed to the low score in this category.

What's it like Living in Ashland?

Ashland is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Kentucky. The city has a population of 21,089 inhabitants. If we look at the most recent Census, Ashland is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Ashland offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 20 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Living in Ashland can be a great experience for anyone relocating to the town. Having said that, in the state of Kentucky, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Finding the best places to live in Ashland and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, commute, education, employment and other important metrics.

With a livability score of 64/100, Ashland is ranked #13,392 in the United States and #271 in Kentucky. Based on the scores for each individual category, Ashland has been rewarded with high marks for crime (B-), cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Ashland. The following was graded with a concerning score: amenities (F) and employment (F).

Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Ashland has a violent crime rate of 200 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Ashland excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Ashland real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Ashland. The median home price for Ashland homes is $182,336, which is 19% lower than the Kentucky average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Ashland, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.9, which is 14.7% lower than the Kentucky average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Ashland

See all the best places to live around Ashland

How Do You Rate The Livability In Ashland?

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Compare Ashland, KY Livability

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      Ashland transportation information

      Statistic Ashland Kentucky National
      Average one way commute20min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work78.6%82.2%76.4%
      Workers who carpool13.7%9.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.2%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.0%2.4%2.8%
      Working from home3.6%3.3%4.6%
      Source: The Ashland, KY data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.