Ashland, KY vs Union, KY

The cost of living difference between Ashland, KY and Union, KY is dramatic. Ashland is 42.4% cheaper than Union, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Ashland has a cost index of 67 while Union sits at 117, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Ashland is $859/month compared to $1,721/month in Union — a 50% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ashland is more affordable at $125,300 median vs $382,900.

Median household income in Ashland is $52,199 compared to $139,013 in Union (-62.5%). While Union is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Ashland spend roughly 19.7% of their income on rent, more than the 14.9% in Union.