Asheville NC vs Columbia MO — 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
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Columbia
127,200
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Columbia
29.2
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Columbia
8.1%
White
Asheville
N/A
Columbia
74.3%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Columbia
12.1%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Columbia
6.1%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Columbia
4.3%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 127,200 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 29.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 8.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 74.3% | - |
| Black | N/A | 12.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 4.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Columbia
$64,488
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Columbia
$37,359
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Asheville +
Columbia
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Columbia
3.9%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Columbia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Columbia
56.5%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $64,488 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $37,359 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,527 | Asheville + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 20.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 56.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Columbia
49.4%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $323,876 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 49.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Columbia
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Asheville +
Columbia
2418
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 501 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2418 | Asheville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Columbia
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Columbia
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Columbia
12.4%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 30.1% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.1% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 8.4% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 18.5% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.4% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Columbia
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Asheville +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 56.0°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
Asheville +
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Asheville +
Columbia
55.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Asheville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Asheville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Columbia
18.2 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 18.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Asheville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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