Asheville NC vs Baltimore MD — 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
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Baltimore
577,193
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Baltimore
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Baltimore
36.1
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Baltimore
8.8%
White
Asheville
N/A
Baltimore
27.4%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Baltimore
60.0%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Baltimore
2.5%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Baltimore
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Baltimore
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 577,193 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 36.1 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 8.8% | - |
| White | N/A | 27.4% | - |
| Black | N/A | 60.0% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.5% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 7.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Baltimore
$59,623
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Baltimore
$39,195
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Baltimore
6.6%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Baltimore
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Baltimore
35.4%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $59,623 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $39,195 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $70,886 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 20.1% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 35.4% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Baltimore
47.5%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $191,668 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 47.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Baltimore
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 433 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1724 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Baltimore
38.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Baltimore
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Baltimore
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Baltimore
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Baltimore
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Baltimore
16.1%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 38.1% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 14.4% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.6% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 10.4% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.0% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.1% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 55.1°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 41.9 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Baltimore
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Baltimore
31.6 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 31.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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