Asheville NC vs Boston MA — 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
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Boston
663,972
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Boston
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Boston
33.2
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Boston
27.5%
White
Asheville
N/A
Boston
47.8%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Boston
21.5%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Boston
10.0%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Boston
18.9%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Boston
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 663,972 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 33.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 27.5% | - |
| White | N/A | 47.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 21.5% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 10.0% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 18.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Boston
$94,755
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Boston
$60,001
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Boston
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Boston
16.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Boston
54.1%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $94,755 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $60,001 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,405 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.0% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 54.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Asheville +
Boston
$793,154
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Boston
35.4%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $793,154 | Asheville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 35.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Boston
326
Boston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Boston
1086
Boston +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 326 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1086 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Boston
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Boston
20.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 23.4% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.6% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.0% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 6.3% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 20.7% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.7% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Boston
51.5°F
Boston +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Boston
43.8 in
Boston +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 51.5°F | Boston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 43.8 in | Boston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Boston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Boston
33.1 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 33.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Asheville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $461,425. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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