Asheville NC vs Charleston SC — 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
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Charleston
152,014
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Charleston
36.1
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Charleston
5.4%
White
Asheville
N/A
Charleston
72.9%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Charleston
17.4%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Charleston
2.2%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Charleston
5.9%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 152,014 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 36.1 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 5.4% | - |
| White | N/A | 72.9% | - |
| Black | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.2% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Charleston
$90,038
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Charleston
$58,583
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Asheville +
Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Charleston
3.4%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Charleston
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Charleston
57.7%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $90,038 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $58,583 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $54,550 | Asheville + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 12.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 57.7% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Asheville +
Charleston
$593,739
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Charleston
55.6%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $593,739 | Asheville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 55.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Charleston
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Charleston
1999
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Charleston, SC | 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%
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Charleston
22.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 28.7% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 15.1% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 8.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 22.9% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Charleston
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Asheville +
Charleston
51.0 in
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 65.9°F | Asheville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 51.0 in | Asheville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Charleston
25.4 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 25.4 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Asheville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $461,425. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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