Asheville NC vs Columbus GA — 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
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Columbus
204,383
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Columbus
35.1
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Columbus
5.3%
White
Asheville
N/A
Columbus
39.3%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Columbus
46.7%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Columbus
2.6%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Columbus
8.3%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 204,383 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.1 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 5.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 39.3% | - |
| Black | N/A | 46.7% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 8.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Columbus
$56,622
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Columbus
$32,811
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Asheville +
Columbus
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Columbus
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Columbus
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Columbus
29.7%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $56,622 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $32,811 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,405 | Asheville + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.5% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 29.7% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Columbus
50.2%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $175,194 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 50.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 392 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1752 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Columbus
40.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Columbus
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Columbus
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Columbus
14.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Columbus
16.1%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 40.3% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 15.5% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.1% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 14.8% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 13.9% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.1% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Columbus
64.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Asheville +
Columbus
49.6 in
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 64.4°F | Asheville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 49.6 in | Asheville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Asheville +
Columbus
55.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Asheville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Asheville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Columbus
21.6 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 21.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 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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