Arlington TX vs Asheville NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Asheville
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Asheville
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Asheville
N/A
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Asheville
N/A
White
Arlington
43.2%
Asheville
N/A
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Asheville
N/A
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Asheville
N/A
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Asheville
N/A
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Asheville
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 43.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 22.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 7.3% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Asheville
N/A
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Asheville
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Asheville
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Asheville
N/A
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Asheville
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Asheville
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Asheville
$461,425
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Asheville
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $461,425 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Asheville
1999
Asheville +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Asheville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 31.5% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.4% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 15.9% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.2% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.7% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.1% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Asheville
45.6 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 55.9°F | Asheville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 45.6 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Asheville
75.0%
Asheville +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Asheville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Asheville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Asheville
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Asheville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
Compare More Cities
Arlington, TX vs New York, NYArlington, TX vs Los Angeles, CAArlington, TX vs Chicago, ILArlington, TX vs Houston, TXArlington, TX vs Phoenix, AZArlington, TX vs Philadelphia, PA