Cost of Living in Ashland, VA

Population 7,667 · Virginia · Data vintage 2023

89
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Ashland is a smaller Virginia community of around 8000 residents, where median household incomes of $65,000 and housing costs ($273,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Ashland sits roughly 15 miles north of Richmond — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 17% lower than Richmond's $328,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 89
Rent 88

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Ashland

The median home value in Ashland is $272,600 — 11% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,154/month, 12% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $65,000/year is 13% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.3%, below the national average of 4.8%. Virginia's top state income tax rate is 5.8% and the combined sales tax is 5.6%. The climate averages highs of 68.8°F and lows of 47.1°F. Overall, Ashland has a cost of living index of 89 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 11% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$272,600
11% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$451,691
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,154/mo
12% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,661/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.7x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.8%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$970
1 BR
$989
2 BR
$1,200
3 BR
$1,645
4 BR
$1,885
Owner-occupied 56.3%
Renter-occupied 43.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,154
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,768/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
24.0 min
11% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.6%
Carpooled
5.5%
Public transit
0.3%
Walked
7.0%
Work from home
10.6%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 5.8%
Total Sales Tax 5.6%
State rate 4.3%
Avg local rate 1.3%
Property Tax 0.8%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$65,000
13% below avg
Per Capita Income
$34,985
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
10% below avg
Poverty Rate
16.4%
Labor Force Participation
59.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.7%
Graduate degree 14.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 30.7
Male median age 30.8
Female median age 30.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
68.8°F
Avg Low
47.1°F
Annual Precip
45.8"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 475159707785898781706051
Low °F 283036455563686659483831
Precip" 3.482.873.893.434.334.143.984.934.043.653.393.68

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 40 — Good
93%
Good air days/yr
101
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
229
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

95%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
25
Public schools
17,541
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Ashland, VA?

Ashland has a cost index of 89 (100 = national average). It is 11% below the national average.

What is average rent in Ashland, VA?

The median gross rent in Ashland is $1,154 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Ashland?

The median home value in Ashland is $272,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Ashland?

The median household income in Ashland is $65,000 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Ashland, VA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Ashland is 5.6%. The Virginia state income tax top rate is 5.8%.

Is Ashland, VA affordable?

Yes, Ashland is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 89 — about 11% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Ashland?

Ashland has average high temperatures of 68.8°F and average lows of 47.1°F. Annual precipitation is 45.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Ashland at a Glance

Population
7,667
Median Income
$65,000
Home Value
$272,600
Median Rent
$1,154/mo
Unemployment
4.3%
Avg High Temp
68.8°F
Sales Tax
5.6%
View all cities in Virginia →
🗺️ County data for Virginia

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs