F
40%
Overall NAT. AVG.
7%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
115%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Ashland Oregon National
Cost of living140111100
Groceries107104100
Health care108105100
Housing215124100
Transportation104106100
Utilities108106100
Lifestyle & Entertainment107107100
Household Items107104100
Education & Childcare111109100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Ashland, OR

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 140, which is 40% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Ashland may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Ashland falls within this bracket.

Housing costs significantly influence the Ashland cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 115.4%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Ashland?

Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 10 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Ashland and this is how they responded. 30% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 70% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.

Is Ashland Affordable?

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 158.7% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 14.4% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Ashland has a median household income of $85,942, which is 5.7% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Ashland?

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Ashland, the transportation index is 4% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Ashland, the utilities index is 7.9% 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 7.6% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Ashland cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Ashland is 25% higher than the Oregon average
  • The cost of living in Ashland is 40% higher than the national average
  • Ashland housing is 115% higher than the national average
  • Oregon general sales tax is 100% lower than the national average
  • Oregon state income tax is 83% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Ashland

See all the best places to live around Ashland

Compare Ashland, OR Cost of Living

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      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$130,395$10,866$3,042$3,912
      Renters$47,106$3,926$1,099$1,413
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Ashland, OR, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Ashland, homeowners have a median income of $130,395. Using that number, a maximum of $3,042 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $47,106, which means there is a maximum of $1,099 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      Oregon Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Oregon 0% 0%

      Oregon Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Oregon 4.75% 9.9%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Phoenix, OR4,7961066.1%
      Talent, OR6,79711211.7%
      Medford, OR84,27111717.0%
      Central Point, OR19,05711818.3%
      Jacksonville, OR2,94613737.4%
      Ashland, OR21,63314039.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Florida Ridge, FL21,6341021.8%
      Sun Valley, NV21,6341043.7%
      Lakeside, CA21,63614645.9%
      Brambleton, VA21,60616565.2%
      South Milwaukee, WI21,661963.9%
      Ashland, OR21,63314039.6%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.