Ashland, NH vs Jaffrey, NH

Ashland, NH and Jaffrey, NH have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.6% difference in their overall index. Ashland scores 84 while Jaffrey scores 85 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 $1,069/month compared to $950/month in Jaffrey — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Jaffrey has cheaper rent, Ashland actually has lower median home values ($169,000 vs $219,200).

Median household income in Ashland is $41,429 compared to $95,600 in Jaffrey (-56.7%). While Jaffrey 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 31% of their income on rent, more than the 11.9% in Jaffrey. The Jaffrey ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (46°F vs 46.4°F). Jaffrey receives more rainfall at 46.4" per year compared to 38.1" in Ashland.