Asheville NC vs Elizabeth NJ — 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
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Elizabeth
135,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Elizabeth
35.8
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Elizabeth
50.6%
White
Asheville
N/A
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Elizabeth
17.1%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Elizabeth
1.8%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Elizabeth
66.8%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 135,887 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.8 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 50.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 24.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 17.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 66.8% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Elizabeth
$63,874
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Elizabeth
$28,490
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Elizabeth
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Elizabeth
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $63,874 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $28,490 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 14.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Asheville +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $531,592 | Asheville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 25.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Elizabeth
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Elizabeth
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Elizabeth
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Elizabeth
15.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 34.8% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.7% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.8% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 28.1% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 15.0% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | 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
Elizabeth
29.3 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 29.3 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Asheville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $461,425. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Elizabeth 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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