Cost of Living in Ashland, WI
Population 7,884 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Ashland sits on the smaller end of the Wisconsin city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. A poverty rate near 24% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.
Ashland lies roughly 155 miles northeast of the nearest major metro, St. Paul — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 42% lower than St. Paul's $280,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Ashland
The median home value in Ashland is $162,200 — 47% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $697/month, 47% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $49,258/year is 34% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.7%, below the national average of 4.8%. Wisconsin's top state income tax rate is 7.7% and the combined sales tax is 5.4%. The climate averages highs of 51.9°F and lows of 31.0°F. Overall, Ashland has a cost of living index of 53 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 47% less expensive.
Ashland has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 22 | 27 | 38 | 51 | 64 | 73 | 79 | 77 | 69 | 55 | 40 | 28 |
| Low °F | 6 | 8 | 18 | 29 | 39 | 49 | 55 | 53 | 46 | 35 | 25 | 13 |
| Precip" | 0.64 | 0.70 | 1.12 | 2.26 | 3.45 | 3.92 | 3.93 | 3.44 | 3.03 | 2.83 | 1.55 | 0.98 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Ashland, WI?
Ashland has a cost index of 53 (100 = national average). It is 47% below the national average.
What is average rent in Ashland, WI?
The median gross rent in Ashland is $697 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Ashland?
The median home value in Ashland is $162,200 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Ashland?
The median household income in Ashland is $49,258 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Ashland, WI?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Ashland is 5.4%. The Wisconsin state income tax top rate is 7.7%.
Is Ashland, WI affordable?
Yes, Ashland is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 53 — about 47% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Ashland?
Ashland has average high temperatures of 51.9°F and average lows of 31.0°F. Annual precipitation is 27.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Ashland at a Glance
- Population
- 7,884
- Median Income
- $49,258
- Home Value
- $162,200
- Median Rent
- $697/mo
- Unemployment
- 4.7%
- Avg High Temp
- 51.9°F
- Sales Tax
- 5.4%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Wisconsin Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs