City Comparison
Ashland vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ashland scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ashland
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ashland is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
28% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ashland's average rent is
40% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Ashland | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,410 | -40% |
| Groceries | $400 | $493 | -19% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,770 | $2,451 | -28% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 34% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cincinnati delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Ashland is estimated at
$42,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Ashland | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,415 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $52,715 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Ashland runs warmer on average — a 56.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Ashland comes out ahead with 238 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Ashland sees 23.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ashland | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 24.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 23.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 238 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Cincinnati scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Ashland leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Ashland | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Ashland.
From a growth perspective, Cincinnati is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Ashland | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,295 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.50% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Ashland
Advantages
Average rent of $850 per month is nearly 50% lower than the national average per Zillow data
Median home values and overall cost of living index sit well below the U.S. average
Serves as a designated regional healthcare and commercial hub for northeastern Kentucky
Rich cultural amenities including the historic Paramount Arts Center and expansive Central Park
Short average commute times and minimal traffic congestion compared to major metro areas
Drawbacks
Median household income of $52,715 trails behind state and national benchmarks per U.S. Census Bureau data
Job growth has remained flat with historical population contraction trends
High reliance on automobile transportation due to limited public transit infrastructure
Limited high-tech or diverse corporate industry sectors within city limits
Poverty rates remain elevated relative to the broader national average
Cincinnati
Advantages
The cost of living in Cincinnati is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many major U.S. cities.
Cincinnati boasts a diverse and growing economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, including museums, theaters, and a symphony orchestra.
Several neighborhoods, such as Over-The-Rhine and the Central Business District, are highly walkable, with Walk Scores of 94 and 92 respectively.
The median property value in Cincinnati was $230,900 in 2024, significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Drawbacks
While some areas are highly walkable, the city's overall Walk Score of 49 indicates a car-dependent environment for most errands.
Public transportation, while available, is not considered the most dependable, often necessitating a personal vehicle.
The city's poverty rate was 25.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
Cincinnati experiences extreme seasonal variations in humidity, with muggy summers and very cold, snowy winters.
The average commute time in the Cincinnati metropolitan area was 2 hours daily in 2023, which is relatively long compared to some other cities.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Ashland
#394Kentucky, USA
58.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
56.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.50%
Livability
72
Business
62
Cincinnati
#501Ohio, USA
52.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
49.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
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