Ashland, IL vs Ludlow, IL

Ashland, IL and Ludlow, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.9% difference in their overall index. Ashland scores 60 while Ludlow scores 61 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Ashland is $575/month compared to $775/month in Ludlow — a 26% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Ashland has cheaper rent, Ludlow actually has lower median home values ($74,500 vs $104,000).

Median household income in Ashland is $62,417 compared to $46,250 in Ludlow (+35%). Ashland offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Ashland spend roughly 11.1% of their income on rent, less than the 20.1% in Ludlow.