Asheville NC vs Boulder CO — 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
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Boulder
106,274
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Boulder
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Boulder
28.8
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Boulder
10.2%
White
Asheville
N/A
Boulder
81.8%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Boulder
1.1%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Boulder
5.8%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Boulder
11.2%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Boulder
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 106,274 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 28.8 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 10.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 81.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 5.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 11.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Boulder
$85,364
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Boulder
$59,450
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Boulder
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Boulder
21.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Boulder
76.8%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $85,364 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $59,450 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,653 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 21.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 76.8% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Asheville +
Boulder
$970,905
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Boulder
47.9%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $970,905 | Asheville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 47.9% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Boulder
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Asheville +
Boulder
3234
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 512 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3234 | Asheville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Boulder
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Boulder
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 16.5% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 5.7% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.9% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 8.6% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 19.8% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.0% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 51.6°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 20.7 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Boulder
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Boulder
21.0 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 21.0 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 512 in Boulder. Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
Compare More Cities
Asheville, NC vs New York, NYAsheville, NC vs Los Angeles, CAAsheville, NC vs Chicago, ILAsheville, NC vs Houston, TXAsheville, NC vs Phoenix, AZAsheville, NC vs Philadelphia, PA