Asheville NC vs Berkeley CA — 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
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Berkeley
120,223
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Berkeley
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Berkeley
32.9
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Berkeley
21.3%
White
Asheville
N/A
Berkeley
54.8%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Berkeley
7.4%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Berkeley
20.7%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Berkeley
12.1%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Berkeley
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 120,223 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 32.9 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 21.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 54.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 7.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 20.7% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 12.1% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Berkeley
$108,558
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Berkeley
$66,936
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Berkeley
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Berkeley
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Berkeley
75.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $108,558 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $66,936 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.0% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 75.0% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Asheville +
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Berkeley
43.3%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $1,451,222 | Asheville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 43.3% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Berkeley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Asheville +
Berkeley
2388
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Asheville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Berkeley
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Berkeley
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 22.2% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 7.4% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.1% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 6.1% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 18.1% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 8.0% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Berkeley
58.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 58.1°F | Asheville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 26.7 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Berkeley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Berkeley
32.2 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 32.2 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 503 in Berkeley. Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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