Ashland, NE vs Elm Creek, NE

Elm Creek is moderately more affordable than Ashland, with a 10.6% lower cost of living index. Ashland scores 79 compared to 71 for Elm Creek, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Ashland can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Ashland is $913/month compared to $767/month in Elm Creek — a 19% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Elm Creek is more affordable at $197,100 median vs $229,100.

Median household income in Ashland is $80,948 compared to $75,625 in Elm Creek (+7%). The higher salaries in Ashland partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Ashland spend roughly 13.5% of their income on rent, more than the 12.2% in Elm Creek.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.2°F vs 51.9°F). Ashland receives more rainfall at 32.3" per year compared to 26.4" in Elm Creek.