Asheville NC vs Cleveland OH — 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
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Cleveland
367,523
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Cleveland
36.3
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Cleveland
6.1%
White
Asheville
N/A
Cleveland
36.7%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Cleveland
46.8%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Cleveland
2.3%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Cleveland
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 367,523 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 36.3 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 36.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 46.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.3% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 12.8% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Cleveland
$39,187
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Cleveland
$27,078
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Asheville +
Cleveland
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Cleveland
11.5%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Cleveland
30.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Cleveland
21.3%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $39,187 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $27,078 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,300 | Asheville + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 11.5% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 30.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 21.3% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Cleveland
41.2%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $117,703 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 41.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 319 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1866 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Cleveland
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Cleveland
17.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Cleveland
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Cleveland
13.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Cleveland
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Cleveland
21.5%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 42.2% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 17.7% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.6% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 13.4% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.2% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 21.5% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 52.7°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 36.4 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Asheville +
Cleveland
55.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Asheville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Asheville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Cleveland
24.3 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.3 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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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