Asheville NC vs Atlanta 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
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Atlanta
499,287
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Atlanta
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Atlanta
34.0
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Atlanta
8.6%
White
Asheville
N/A
Atlanta
39.9%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Atlanta
46.9%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Atlanta
5.0%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Atlanta
6.3%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Atlanta
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Atlanta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 499,287 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.0 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 8.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 39.9% | - |
| Black | N/A | 46.9% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 5.0% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 6.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Atlanta
$81,938
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Atlanta
$64,063
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Asheville +
Atlanta
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Atlanta
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Atlanta
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Atlanta
58.4%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Atlanta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $81,938 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $64,063 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,405 | Asheville + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 17.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 58.4% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Atlanta
46.3%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Atlanta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $387,752 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 46.3% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Atlanta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 392 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1752 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Atlanta
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Atlanta
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Atlanta
11.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Atlanta
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Atlanta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 29.3% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.6% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.2% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 11.3% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.2% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.1% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Atlanta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Asheville +
Atlanta
51.5 in
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Atlanta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 51.5 in | Asheville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Asheville +
Atlanta
55.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Atlanta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 28.7 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Atlanta 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). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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