Asheville NC vs Cary NC — 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
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Cary
176,686
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Cary
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Cary
39.8
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Cary
23.7%
White
Asheville
N/A
Cary
60.1%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Cary
7.6%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Cary
20.4%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Cary
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Cary
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 176,686 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 39.8 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 23.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 60.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 7.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 20.4% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 9.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Cary
$129,399
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Cary
$64,590
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Cary
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Cary
3.4%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Cary
5.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Cary
70.2%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $129,399 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $64,590 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 5.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 70.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Asheville +
Cary
$629,864
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Cary
66.3%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $629,864 | Asheville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 66.3% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Cary
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Cary
1999
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 25.3% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.6% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 12.8% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 6.2% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.3% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 7.7% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Cary
59.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Asheville +
Cary
46.3 in
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 59.4°F | Asheville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 46.3 in | Asheville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Cary
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Cary
24.3 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.3 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Asheville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $461,425. On public safety, Cary is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Cary has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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