Asheville NC vs El Paso TX — 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
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
El Paso
678,147
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
El Paso
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
El Paso
34.1
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
El Paso
22.3%
White
Asheville
N/A
El Paso
39.3%
Black
Asheville
N/A
El Paso
3.6%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
El Paso
1.5%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
El Paso
81.3%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
El Paso
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 678,147 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.1 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 22.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 39.3% | - |
| Black | N/A | 3.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.5% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 81.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
El Paso
$58,734
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
El Paso
$28,942
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
El Paso
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
El Paso
18.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
El Paso
27.5%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $58,734 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $28,942 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.2% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 27.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
El Paso
60.2%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $235,994 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 60.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
El Paso
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Asheville +
El Paso
2339
| Metric | Asheville, NC | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Asheville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
El Paso
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
El Paso
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
El Paso
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
El Paso
27.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
El Paso
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
El Paso
12.2%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 33.8% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 16.4% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.2% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 27.9% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.5% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.2% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
El Paso
64.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 64.3°F | Asheville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 10.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Asheville +
El Paso
55.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Asheville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Asheville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
El Paso
25.1 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 25.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
El Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. 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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