Asheville NC vs Boise ID — 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
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Boise
235,701
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Boise
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Boise
38.2
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Boise
7.2%
White
Asheville
N/A
Boise
83.6%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Boise
1.4%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Boise
3.4%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Boise
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 235,701 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 38.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 7.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 83.6% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.4% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 9.5% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Boise
$81,308
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Boise
$48,274
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Asheville +
Boise
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Boise
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Boise
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Boise
46.6%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $81,308 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $48,274 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,074 | Asheville + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.8% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 46.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Asheville +
Boise
$504,894
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Boise
63.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $504,894 | Asheville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 63.0% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Boise
251
Boise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Boise
958
Boise +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 251 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 958 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Boise
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Boise
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Boise
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Boise
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Boise
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 49.9°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 18.6 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Boise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Boise
20.4 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 20.4 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Asheville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $461,425. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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