Asheville NC vs Athens GA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Athens
126,987
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Athens
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Athens
29.2
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Athens
9.8%
White
Asheville
N/A
Athens
57.6%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Athens
26.2%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Athens
4.3%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Athens
11.5%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Athens
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 126,987 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 29.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 9.8% | - |
| White | N/A | 57.6% | - |
| Black | N/A | 26.2% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.3% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 11.5% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Athens
$51,655
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Athens
$31,836
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Asheville +
Athens
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Athens
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Athens
26.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Athens
48.7%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $51,655 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $31,836 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,405 | Asheville + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.2% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 26.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 48.7% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Athens
40.5%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $341,821 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 40.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Athens
392
Athens +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Athens
1752
Athens +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 392 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1752 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Athens
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Athens
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Athens
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Athens
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Athens
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Athens
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Athens
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Asheville +
Athens
46.3 in
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 62.6°F | Asheville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 46.3 in | Asheville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Asheville +
Athens
55.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Asheville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Asheville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Athens
22.3 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 22.3 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Asheville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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