Asheville NC vs Cambridge 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
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Cambridge
117,794
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Cambridge
30.5
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Cambridge
28.8%
White
Asheville
N/A
Cambridge
57.5%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Cambridge
10.5%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Cambridge
19.7%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Cambridge
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 117,794 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 30.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 28.8% | - |
| White | N/A | 57.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 10.5% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 19.7% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 8.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Cambridge
$126,469
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Cambridge
$76,789
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Cambridge
3.4%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Cambridge
12.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Cambridge
80.2%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $126,469 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $76,789 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,405 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 12.4% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 80.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Asheville +
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Cambridge
33.7%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $1,041,988 | Asheville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 33.7% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Cambridge
326
Cambridge +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 326 | Cambridge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1086 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Cambridge
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Cambridge
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 21.9% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 5.9% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 16.0% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 3.8% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 18.5% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 7.1% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Cambridge
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Cambridge
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Cambridge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Cambridge
28.3 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 28.3 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Asheville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $461,425. On public safety, Cambridge is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Cambridge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cambridge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.9%.
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