salaryRent is lower than in 84% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $42,840 a year. That is $21 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Kentucky cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Kentucky. It is number 31 of 87 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Ashland?
Share of households by yearly income. 13.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Ashland
| Size | Ashland | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $438 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $654 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $950 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,200 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,789 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Ashland overall?
Everyday prices in the Huntington-Ashland metro area are 12% below the U.S. average (index 88.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Ashland
Life in Ashland
What jobs pay in Ashland
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $134,370 | 9.6% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $125,780 | 10.2% |
| Physician Assistant | $125,690 | 10.2% |
| Software Developer | $110,780 | 11.6% |
| Lawyer | $98,070 | 13.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $94,520 | 13.6% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $85,180 | 15.1% |
| Registered Nurse | $81,010 | 15.9% |
| Operations Manager | $77,350 | 16.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $73,470 | 17.5% |
| Accountant | $70,840 | 18.1% |
| Electrician | $63,620 | 20.2% |
| Plumber | $62,160 | 20.7% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $57,450 | 22.4% |
| Police Officer | $56,130 | 22.9% |
| Market Research Analyst | $55,700 | 23.1% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $54,540 | 23.6% |
| Carpenter | $52,000 | 24.7% |
| Truck Driver | $50,050 | 25.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $48,860 | 26.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $38,060 | 33.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $37,500 | 34.3% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,140 | 34.6% |
| Warehouse Worker | $36,120 | 35.6% |
| Firefighter | $36,060 | 35.6% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $30,690 | 41.9% |
| Restaurant Cook | $29,550 | 43.5% |
| Retail Salesperson | $28,220 | 45.5% |
| Cashier | $27,080 | 47.5% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Ashland?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $204 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $125,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $12,500 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Ashland, KY?
Renting in Ashland costs a median of about $1,071 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Kentucky median is $1,175.
How much do I need to make to live in Ashland?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $42,840 a year, or $21 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Ashland cheap or expensive?
Ashland is rated OK: rent takes 22.6% of the typical household income of $56,853. It ranks 31st cheapest of 87 Kentucky cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Ashland?
The median homeowner in Ashland pays $1,164 a year in property taxes, about 0.93% of the median home value.
Is Ashland more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 12% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Ashland?
The median home value in Ashland is $125,000, about 2.2 times the typical yearly household income.
21,295 people live in Ashland. Numbers are typical (middle) values.