Side-by-side comparison of home prices, mortgage payments, and housing costs between Ashtabula and Zanesville, Ohio. Using Ohio's 1.56% property tax rate and $1,400/year insurance. Updated for 2026.
Ashtabula edges out Zanesville in affordability, saving you roughly $74/month on total housing costs. Both cities are in Ohio, so property tax rates and insurance costs are the same — the difference comes down to home prices and what you get for your money in each market.
Estimated PITI payments assuming 10% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed mortgage with PMI. Uses Ohio's 1.56% property tax rate.
Buying in Ashtabula saves you approximately $74/month ($888/year) compared to Zanesville, based on median home prices with identical loan terms.
Ashtabula is the better choice for first-time buyers, with a median price of $115K versus $125K in Zanesville. That's $10K less to save for a down payment. You'd need roughly $4K for an FHA 3.5% down payment in Ashtabula, compared to $4K in Zanesville. Ohio offers the OHFA Your Choice! Down Payment Assistance program (2.5% or 5% of purchase price) which applies in both cities.
Ashtabula has the better price-to-rent ratio at 13.3x versus 13.9x in Zanesville. A lower ratio generally signals better rental income relative to purchase price. Average rent in Ashtabula is $720/month on a $115K median home, making it a stronger candidate for buy-and-rent investors.
Zanesville (pop. 25,378) offers more amenities, schools, and services typical of a larger city, while Ashtabula (pop. 18,158) may offer a quieter, more community-oriented lifestyle. Families on a budget may prefer Ashtabula, where lower housing costs free up more income for childcare, education, and savings.