Asheville NC vs Burlington VT — 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
Burlington, VT
Vermont · Population: 44,649
- Median HH Income$68,854
- Median Home Price$510,361
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+60.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Burlington
44,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Burlington
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Burlington
26.7
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Burlington
7.2%
White
Asheville
N/A
Burlington
85.8%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Burlington
3.7%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Burlington
3.7%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Burlington
3.3%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Burlington
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 44,649 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 26.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 7.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 85.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 3.7% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.7% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 3.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Burlington
$68,854
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Burlington
$39,027
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Burlington
$63,829
Burlington +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Burlington
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Burlington
23.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Burlington
60.5%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $68,854 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $39,027 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,829 | Burlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 23.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 60.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Asheville +
Burlington
$510,361
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Burlington
39.8%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $510,361 | Asheville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 39.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 224 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1714 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Burlington
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Burlington
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 23.1% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 5.4% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 20.3% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 6.9% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 19.1% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.5% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 46.0°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 36.8 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Burlington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Burlington
20.6 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 20.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Asheville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $461,425. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Burlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Burlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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