Asheville NC vs Austin TX — 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
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Austin
967,862
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Austin
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Austin
34.5
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Austin
18.1%
White
Asheville
N/A
Austin
59.9%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Austin
7.5%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Austin
8.6%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Austin
32.2%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Austin
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 967,862 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 18.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 59.9% | - |
| Black | N/A | 7.5% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 8.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 32.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Austin
$91,461
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Austin
$59,427
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Austin
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Austin
12.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Austin
58.2%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $91,461 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $59,427 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.5% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 58.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Asheville +
Austin
$511,264
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Austin
44.4%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $511,264 | Asheville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 44.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Austin
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Asheville +
Austin
2339
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Asheville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Austin
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Austin
15.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Austin
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 30.1% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.1% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 16.9% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 15.1% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 20.0% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.4% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Austin
67.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 67.2°F | Asheville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 34.9 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Asheville +
Austin
55.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Asheville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Asheville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Austin
25.8 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Austin, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 25.8 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Asheville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $461,425. On public safety, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Asheville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
Compare More Cities
Asheville, NC vs New York, NYAsheville, NC vs Los Angeles, CAAsheville, NC vs Chicago, ILAsheville, NC vs Houston, TXAsheville, NC vs Phoenix, AZAsheville, NC vs Philadelphia, PA