Asheville NC vs Cedar Rapids IA — 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
Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa · Population: 136,859
- Median HH Income$67,859
- Median Home Price$210,271
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
White
Asheville
N/A
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 136,859 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 36.9 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 79.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 8.5% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.5% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 5.1% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $67,859 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $39,824 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,226 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 11.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 32.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $210,271 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 68.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 296 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1452 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 36.3% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.1% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.4% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 7.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 20.4% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.6% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 50.3°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 37.6 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Asheville +
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Asheville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Asheville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 19.4 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Asheville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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