Asheville NC vs Concord NC — 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
Concord, NC
North Carolina · Population: 106,518
- Median HH Income$84,752
- Median Home Price$384,688
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+41.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Concord
106,518
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Concord
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Concord
36.2
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Concord
12.5%
White
Asheville
N/A
Concord
54.7%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Concord
22.1%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Concord
6.7%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Concord
15.8%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Concord
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 106,518 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 36.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 12.5% | - |
| White | N/A | 54.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 22.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 6.7% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 15.8% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Concord
$84,752
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Concord
$40,763
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Concord
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Concord
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Concord
8.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Concord
41.7%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $84,752 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $40,763 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.8% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 8.6% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 41.7% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Concord
$384,688
Concord +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Concord
66.4%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $384,688 | Concord + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 66.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Concord
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Concord
1999
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Concord, NC | 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%
Asheville +
Concord
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Concord
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Concord
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Concord
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Concord
15.2%
Concord +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Concord
12.5%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 33.5% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.6% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 16.6% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 10.5% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.2% | Concord + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.5% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Concord
60.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Asheville +
Concord
45.9 in
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 60.4°F | Asheville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 45.9 in | Asheville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Concord
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Concord
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Concord
29.7 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 29.7 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Concord offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $384,688. On public safety, Concord is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Concord 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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