Asheville NC vs Bend OR — 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
Bend, OR
Oregon · Population: 97,502
- Median HH Income$94,279
- Median Home Price$735,193
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+49.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Bend
97,502
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Bend
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Bend
37.6
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Bend
17.6%
White
Asheville
N/A
Bend
65.5%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Bend
2.8%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Bend
11.4%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Bend
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 97,502 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.6 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 65.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 2.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 17.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Bend
$94,279
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Bend
$51,659
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Bend
$63,691
Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Bend
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Bend
9.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Bend
49.3%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $94,279 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $51,659 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,691 | Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.2% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 9.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 49.3% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Asheville +
Bend
$735,193
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Bend
49.8%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $735,193 | Asheville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 49.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Bend
355
Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Asheville +
Bend
3001
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 355 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3001 | Asheville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Bend
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Bend
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 26.5% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.9% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 16.0% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 6.5% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.7% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.0% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 46.6°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 11.4 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Asheville +
Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Asheville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Asheville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Bend
26.1 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 26.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Asheville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $461,425. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Asheville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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