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Is Asheville a Good Place to Live? Asheville, North Carolina: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Asheville ranks #902 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #376 of 524 smaller cities and #15 of 22 in North Carolina. Against similar-size cities it stands out for short commutes (18.2 min, #56 of 524), and trails on a shrinking population (-1.7%, #468 of 468) and high violent crime (753 per 100,000, #424 of 444).
Asheville by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Asheville's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
What is the cost of living in Asheville?
Asheville's cost of living index is 96.5, 4% below the US level of 100 and #526 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,402/mo against $1,633/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $448,688, 34% above the typical North Carolina home ($334,773).
| Measure | Asheville | North CarolinaNC | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 102.4 · US 100 | 96.5#526 of 1,308 | 94.3 | 102.4 | 100 |
| Typical home valueZillow Home Value Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $431,438 · US $368,697 | $448,688#730 of 1,187 | $334,773 | $431,438 | $368,697 |
| Typical asking rentZillow Observed Rent Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,884/mo · US $1,948/mo | $1,704/mo#508 of 1,115 | — | $1,884/mo | $1,948/mo |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $401,950 | $440,000#872 of 1,309 | — | $401,950 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,633/mo | $1,402/mo#644 of 1,309 | — | $1,633/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 4.5x | 6.2x#1068 of 1,309 | — | 4.5x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 22.2% | 23.7%#859 of 1,309 | — | 22.2% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). North Carolina is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Asheville housing market · August
Typical home value is a monthly index of homes in the middle third of the market; the Census figures above are survey medians and will differ. Source in the data sources list below. Asheville is in the Asheville, NC metro.
North Carolina housing market →Is Asheville safe?
Asheville recorded 753 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 2.3 times the US rate of 328 and 2.3 times North Carolina's 330. That ranks #989 of 1,085 cities with data (1 = safest) and #424 of 444 smaller cities, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Asheville Police Department. Property crime runs 4,392 per 100,000 (US 1,548).
| Measure | Asheville | North CarolinaNC | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 264 · US 328 | 753#989 of 1,085 | 330 | 264 | 328 |
| Property crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 1,550 · US 1,548 | 4,392#1064 of 1,085 | 1,780 | 1,550 | 1,548 |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). North Carolina is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. City rates come from each police agency's report to the FBI and are not strictly comparable across agencies.
What do people earn in Asheville?
The median household in Asheville earns $71,102, 15% below the US figure of $83,163 and 4% below North Carolina ($73,958). Unemployment is 5.2% (US 4.3%). 14.3% of residents live below the poverty line. The population fell 1.7% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
| Measure | Asheville | North CarolinaNC | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $83,646 · US $83,163 | $71,102#794 of 1,312 | $73,958 | $83,646 | $83,163 |
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 4.2% · US 4.3% | 5.2%#878 of 1,058 | 3.8% | 4.2% | 4.3% |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.8% | 14.3%#813 of 1,312 | — | 10.8% | — |
| Population growth, one yearCensus population estimates · rank 1 = fastestSimilar-size +0.2% · US +0.5% | -1.7%#1131 of 1,132 | +1.3% | +0.2% | +0.5% |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). North Carolina is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Asheville?
The median resident of Asheville is 40.7 years old, against 37.7 in similar-size cities. 53.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #208 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 51.9% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Asheville | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 37.7 | 40.7 | 37.7 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 35.1% | 53.4%#208 of 1,312 | 35.1% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 61.7% | 51.9% | 61.7% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Asheville's schools and health?
Asheville's 26 public schools graduate 90.8% of students in four years (North Carolina 86.4%), with 14 students per teacher and $14,656 spent per pupil. 31.5% of adults are obese and 10.4% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 31.9% and 11%.
| Measure | Asheville | North CarolinaNC | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High school graduation rateDepartment of Education EDFacts · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 89% | 90.8%#339 of 1,063 | 86.4% | 89% | — |
| Students per teacherNCES Common Core of Data · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 16.4 | 14#282 of 1,188 | — | 16.4 | — |
| Spending per pupilNCES school finance survey · rank 1 = mostSimilar-size $15,354 | $14,656#628 of 1,188 | — | $15,354 | — |
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 31.9% | 31.5%#502 of 1,311 | — | 31.9% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11% | 10.4%#479 of 1,311 | — | 11% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 16.7% | 15.9%#390 of 1,311 | — | 16.7% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.1% | 9.2%#551 of 1,311 | — | 10.1% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). North Carolina is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. 11,276 students are enrolled in Asheville's public schools.
What are the commute and weather like in Asheville?
The average commute in Asheville is 18.2 minutes (North Carolina 25.7); 1.3% of workers take transit and 20.1% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Asheville scores 14.3 of 20 (above average walkable), #113 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 73.8°F and winters 40.3°F, with 40.6 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Asheville | North CarolinaNC | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 25.1 min | 18.2 min#204 of 1,312 | 25.7 min | 25.1 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 6.5% | 2.3%#77 of 1,312 | 6.9% | 6.5% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 70.8% | 66.1% | 71.6% | 70.8% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.1% | 1.3% | 0.8% | 1.1% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.4% | 3.4% | 1.6% | 1.4% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.2% | 0.6% | 0.2% | 0.2% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 13.7% | 20.1% | 15.4% | 13.7% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 11.1 | 14.3#113 of 1,312 | — | 11.1 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). North Carolina is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 47.7 | 28.7 | 3.3 |
| Feb | 51.6 | 31.7 | 2.9 |
| Mar | 58.8 | 37.8 | 3.5 |
| Apr | 68.9 | 45.8 | 3.7 |
| May | 76.3 | 54 | 3.5 |
| Jun | 82.6 | 61.3 | 3.4 |
| Jul | 85.9 | 64.7 | 4.1 |
| Aug | 84.6 | 63.8 | 3.6 |
| Sep | 78.7 | 58 | 3.7 |
| Oct | 69.1 | 46.8 | 2.6 |
| Nov | 58.6 | 37.1 | 3.1 |
| Dec | 50.5 | 31.7 | 3.3 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Asheville.
| Measure | Asheville | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 58.1°F | 57.3°F | 58.1°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 74.2°F | 73.8°F | 74.2°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 40.8°F | 40.3°F | 40.8°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 38.3 in | 40.6 in | 38.3 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Asheville.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Asheville?
Buncombe County's air had a median air quality index of 40, and 73% of measured days were rated good; 0 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Buncombe County's biggest natural hazard losses in landslide, ice storm, and earthquake, with expected yearly losses of 0.12% of building value, lower than 76% of US counties.
| Measure | Asheville | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median air quality index (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = cleanestSimilar-size 44 | 40#354 of 1,138 | 44 | — |
| Unhealthy air days a year (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 3 | 0#1 of 1,138 | 3 | — |
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.15% | 0.12%#359 of 1,312 | 0.15% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Buncombe County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Buncombe County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Landslide | 0.0022% | 97% of counties |
| Ice storm | 0.0025% | 79% of counties |
| Earthquake | 0.0046% | 64% of counties |
| Inland flooding | 0.086% | 56% of counties |
| Tornado | 0.0052% | 38% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does Asheville compare with similar-size cities?
Asheville is one of 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track and ranks #376 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 94,535.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NCPop. 94,535 | #902 | 51.7 | $71,102 | $1,402/mo | 753 | 18.2 min |
| Fort Myers, FLPop. 95,051 | #913 | 51.5 | $63,732 | $1,580/mo | 444 | 25.2 min |
| Toms River, NJPop. 94,956 | #419 | 59.7 | $100,137 | $1,731/mo | no data | 30.1 min |
| San Marcos, CAPop. 94,882 | #892 | 51.9 | $109,377 | $2,348/mo | part year | 26.5 min |
| Sandy, UTPop. 94,291 | #350 | 60.9 | $112,176 | $1,777/mo | 221 | 22.7 min |
| Fall River, MAPop. 94,082 | #1084 | 48.2 | $56,673 | $1,155/mo | 768 | 25.8 min |
| Mount Pleasant, SCPop. 93,993 | #225 | 63.8 | $124,755 | $2,159/mo | 132 | 24.9 min |
| Livonia, MIPop. 93,851 | #201 | 64.4 | $98,460 | $1,322/mo | 217 | 24.3 min |
| Erie, PAPop. 93,850 | #850 | 52.5 | $46,113 | $870/mo | 315 | 18.3 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does Asheville compare with the rest of North Carolina?
Asheville ranks #15 of the 22 North Carolina cities we track, with a score of 51.7 against North Carolina's statewide 59.1. Its households earn 4% below the North Carolina median. Violent crime is 2.3 times the statewide rate. Homes are 34% above the typical North Carolina home.
| City | Rank in NC | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apex, NCPop. 70,630 | #1 | 74.9 | $144,135 | $1,902/mo | 53 |
| Cary, NCPop. 179,306 | #2 | 71.2 | $134,905 | $1,738/mo | 75 |
| Wake Forest, NCPop. 52,844 | #3 | 69.2 | $123,802 | $1,596/mo | 85 |
| Huntersville, NCPop. 63,969 | #4 | 68.0 | $120,516 | $1,834/mo | 115 |
| Chapel Hill, NCPop. 61,607 | #5 | 65.1 | $85,989 | $1,613/mo | 86 |
| Raleigh, NCPop. 481,031 | #6 | 61.2 | $85,395 | $1,572/mo | 395 |
| Concord, NCPop. 108,719 | #7 | 60.8 | $86,921 | $1,451/mo | 117 |
| Mooresville, NCPop. 52,381 | #8 | 60.5 | $89,647 | $1,626/mo | 247 |
| Kannapolis, NCPop. 57,890 | #9 | 57.9 | $73,836 | $1,319/mo | 170 |
| Durham, NCPop. 291,467 | #10 | 57.4 | $81,619 | $1,508/mo | 507 |
| Charlotte, NCPop. 903,844 | #11 | 56.3 | $82,068 | $1,612/mo | 559 |
| Wilmington, NCPop. 120,805 | #12 | 55.7 | $66,738 | $1,395/mo | 406 |
| Jacksonville, NCPop. 71,279 | #13 | 53.4 | $57,697 | $1,321/mo | 228 |
| High Point, NCPop. 116,245 | #14 | 53.3 | $64,561 | $1,116/mo | 521 |
| Asheville, NCPop. 94,535 | #15 | 51.7 | $71,102 | $1,402/mo | 753 |
| Greensboro, NCPop. 301,198 | #16 | 49.7 | $61,515 | $1,172/mo | 702 |
| Greenville, NCPop. 92,857 | #17 | 49.6 | $49,748 | $1,007/mo | 449 |
| Burlington, NCPop. 59,610 | #18 | 48.1 | $56,880 | $1,051/mo | 640 |
| Winston-Salem, NCPop. 252,037 | #19 | 47.8 | $59,268 | $1,087/mo | 744 |
| Gastonia, NCPop. 82,884 | #20 | 47.3 | $64,059 | $1,204/mo | 889 |
| Fayetteville, NCPop. 210,815 | #21 | 46.8 | $58,407 | $1,250/mo | 614 |
| Rocky Mount, NCPop. 54,297 | #22 | 44.4 | $55,534 | $957/mo | 672 |
All 22 North Carolina cities we track, by overall score. North Carolina statewide: median income $73,958, violent crime 330.3 per 100,000.
How is Asheville's score calculated?
Asheville scores 51.7 out of 100, #902 of 1,312 (grade C, which follows rank). It is scored on the 10 of 11 categories with local data; outdoor access is left out rather than filled with North Carolina's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data · 16% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Asheville. Similar-size median 55.5.
43.9 - SafetyCity data · 13% of score
Violent and property crime per 100,000 residents, as reported to the FBI by Asheville's police agency. Similar-size median 77.8.
27.3 - HealthCity data · 13% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Asheville. Similar-size median 58.9.
62.1 - EducationCity data · 13% of score
Graduation rate, students per teacher and spending per pupil in Asheville's public schools. Similar-size median 55.2.
65.3 - AffordabilityCity data · 11% of score
Asheville's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 59.3.
64.2 - Household financesCity data · 9% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Asheville. Similar-size median 56.1.
44.8 - GrowthCity data · 7% of score
Population growth and unemployment in Asheville. Similar-size median 42.4.
19.9 - TransportationCity data · 7% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Asheville. Similar-size median 50.0.
63.9 - WalkabilityCity data · 7% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Asheville's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 53.2.
70.0 - EnvironmentCounty data · 4% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. Similar-size median 50.8.
68.1 - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Asheville's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Asheville has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in Asheville
Is Asheville, NC a good place to live?
Asheville ranks #902 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #376 of 524 smaller cities and #15 of 22 in North Carolina. Against similar-size cities it stands out for short commutes (18.2 min, #56 of 524), and trails on a shrinking population (-1.7%, #468 of 468) and high violent crime (753 per 100,000, #424 of 444).
What is the cost of living in Asheville?
Asheville's cost of living index is 96.5, 4% below the US level of 100 and #526 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,402/mo against $1,633/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $448,688, 34% above the typical North Carolina home ($334,773).
What is the crime rate in Asheville?
Asheville recorded 753 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 2.3 times the US rate of 328 and 2.3 times North Carolina's 330. That ranks #989 of 1,085 cities with data (1 = safest) and #424 of 444 smaller cities, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Asheville Police Department. Property crime runs 4,392 per 100,000 (US 1,548).
What is the median household income in Asheville?
The median household in Asheville earns $71,102, 15% below the US figure of $83,163 and 4% below North Carolina ($73,958). Unemployment is 5.2% (US 4.3%). 14.3% of residents live below the poverty line. The population fell 1.7% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
How much is rent in Asheville?
Median rent in Asheville is $1,402/mo (Census), #644 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). The typical asking rent for a unit on the market now is $1,704/mo, against $1,948/mo nationally. Median rent takes 23.7% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Asheville?
The typical home value in Asheville is $448,688, down 5% in a year, against $334,773 for North Carolina and $368,697 nationally. The Census median value of owner-occupied homes is $440,000.
How are the public schools in Asheville?
Asheville's 26 public schools graduate 90.8% of students in four years (North Carolina 86.4%), with 14 students per teacher and $14,656 spent per pupil.
How long is the commute in Asheville?
The average commute is 18.2 minutes, #204 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 25.7 minutes across North Carolina. 2.3% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Asheville?
Asheville averages 57.3°F over the year, 73.8°F in summer and 40.3°F in winter, with 40.6 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Asheville walkable?
Asheville scores 14.3 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (above average walkable), #113 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is Asheville at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Buncombe County's biggest natural hazard losses in landslide, ice storm, and earthquake, with expected yearly losses of 0.12% of building value, lower than 76% of US counties.
How is the air quality in Asheville?
Buncombe County's air had a median air quality index of 40, and 73% of measured days were rated good; 0 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles.
Who lives in Asheville?
Asheville has 94,535 residents. The median resident of Asheville is 40.7 years old, against 37.7 in similar-size cities. 53.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #208 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 51.9% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Asheville compare with the rest of North Carolina?
Asheville ranks #15 of the 22 North Carolina cities we track, with a score of 51.7 against North Carolina's statewide 59.1. Its households earn 4% below the North Carolina median. Violent crime is 2.3 times the statewide rate. Homes are 34% above the typical North Carolina home.
What cities are similar in size to Asheville?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Asheville's population of 94,535 are Fort Myers, FL (#913 overall), Toms River, NJ (#419 overall), San Marcos, CA (#892 overall), Sandy, UT (#350 overall), and Fall River, MA (#1084 overall). Asheville is #902.