Ashland, NE vs Seward, NE

Ashland, NE and Seward, NE have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.8% difference in their overall index. Ashland scores 79 while Seward scores 81 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 $913/month compared to $986/month in Seward — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ashland is more affordable at $229,100 median vs $232,500.

Median household income in Ashland is $80,948 compared to $70,000 in Seward (+15.6%). 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 13.5% of their income on rent, less than the 16.9% in Seward.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.2°F vs 52.3°F). Ashland receives more rainfall at 32.3" per year compared to 29.3" in Seward.