Asheville NC vs Dayton 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
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Dayton
136,741
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Dayton
34.2
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Dayton
5.0%
White
Asheville
N/A
Dayton
51.3%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Dayton
38.0%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 136,741 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 5.0% | - |
| White | N/A | 51.3% | - |
| Black | N/A | 38.0% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.2% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 5.5% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Asheville +
Dayton
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $43,454 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $26,381 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,300 | Asheville + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 27.1% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 20.7% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Dayton
48.2%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 48.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1866 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Dayton
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 42.9% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 17.6% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 21.6% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 11.2% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.6% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 20.5% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 54.1°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 40.3 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Asheville +
Dayton
55.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Dayton, 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
Dayton
22.2 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 22.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton 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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