Rows tagged local are specific to Ashland (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Huntington, WV. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 6/10 (district Ashland Independent · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
88.1
metro-area
#9 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
95.5
metro-area
#67 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.01
metro-area
#9 of 200 metros
Median household income
$51,250
local
#2928 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$32,562
local
#2850 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
41.8 years
metro-area
#173 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
23.0%
metro-area
#182 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
1.2%
metro-area
#199 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
73.0%
metro-area
#20 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
8.41%
local
#2905 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+2.4%
local
#1824 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$121,600
local
#132 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
2.4×
local
#171 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+0.5%
metro-area
#125 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$64
local
#101 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,900 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$793
local
#77 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
923
Median days on market
13
metro-area
#69 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
9.6%
state
#78 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
6.00%
state
#46 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
4.00%
Capital gains tax
4.00%
state
#121 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
0.95%
local
#1562 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$1,161
local
#166 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
71.2 years
metro-area
#197 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,300
state
#139 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
7.0%
metro-area
#63 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
91
metro-area
#33 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$9,000
state
#25 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$120
state
#19 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
1.44% of value (~$403/yr)
state
#163 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
21 min
local
#338 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
81.5%
metro-area
#190 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
32.9%
metro-area
#118 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
15.0¢/kWh
state
#70 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$135
state
#70 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.10/gal
state
#94 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$70
state
#94 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$81
state
#198 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#13 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$2,200
state
#22 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$2,200
state
#80 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
72.7 — Relatively Low
metro-area
#11 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$700
state
#41 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$250
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
44
metro-area
#76 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
900
metro-area
#66 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
95%
state
#141 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
4,900
metro-area
#125 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
22
metro-area
#88 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
0
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
84°F
metro-area
#37 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
26°F
metro-area
#119 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
45.5"
metro-area
#129 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
12.0"
metro-area
#111 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
55%
metro-area
#150 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
6b
Frost window
04-20 → 10-20
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
260
state
#21 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,700
state
#63 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
120
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Parks
60
Hiking areas
15
Golf courses
15
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#1 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.