Asheville NC vs Chicago IL — 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
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Chicago
2,707,648
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Chicago
35.7
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Chicago
20.7%
White
Asheville
N/A
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Chicago
28.4%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Chicago
7.1%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Chicago
29.6%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 2,707,648 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 20.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 39.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 28.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 29.6% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Chicago
$75,134
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Chicago
$48,148
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Chicago
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Chicago
43.3%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $75,134 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $48,148 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $68,110 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 7.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 43.3% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Chicago
45.5%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $324,183 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 45.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 344 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1842 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Chicago
32.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Chicago
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Chicago
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Chicago
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 32.6% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.0% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 16.0% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 13.6% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 19.0% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.9% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 49.2°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 37.8 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Asheville +
Chicago
55.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Asheville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Asheville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 36.5 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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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