Asheville NC vs Birmingham AL — 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
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Birmingham
199,322
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Birmingham
35.9
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Birmingham
4.4%
White
Asheville
N/A
Birmingham
25.6%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Birmingham
67.1%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Birmingham
1.4%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Birmingham
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 199,322 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.9 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 4.4% | - |
| White | N/A | 25.6% | - |
| Black | N/A | 67.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.4% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 4.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Birmingham
$44,376
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Birmingham
$31,616
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Asheville +
Birmingham
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Birmingham
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Birmingham
25.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Birmingham
30.7%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $44,376 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $31,616 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $51,690 | Asheville + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 25.2% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 30.7% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Birmingham
45.1%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $137,201 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 45.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Birmingham
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 400 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1734 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Birmingham
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Birmingham
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Birmingham
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Birmingham
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Birmingham
16.6%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 42.2% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 19.2% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.5% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 11.2% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 13.1% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.6% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Birmingham
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Asheville +
Birmingham
53.7 in
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 63.3°F | Asheville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 53.7 in | Asheville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Birmingham
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Asheville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Birmingham
23.2 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 23.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Asheville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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