Ashland, KS vs Sterling, KS

Ashland, KS and Sterling, KS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.2% difference in their overall index. Ashland scores 59 while Sterling 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 $725/month compared to $618/month in Sterling — a 17% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Sterling has cheaper rent, Ashland actually has lower median home values ($67,100 vs $130,200).

Median household income in Ashland is $62,500 compared to $51,304 in Sterling (+21.8%). 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 13.9% of their income on rent, less than the 14.5% in Sterling.