Asheville NC vs Grand Island NE — 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
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
White
Asheville
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Black
Asheville
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | N/A | - |
| White | N/A | N/A | - |
| Black | N/A | N/A | - |
| Asian | N/A | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $66,354 | Grand Island + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $254,245 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Grand Island
1960
Grand Island +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 294 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1960 | Grand Island + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Grand Island
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Grand Island
11.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Grand Island
17.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Grand Island
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Grand Island
14.8%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 41.5% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.6% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 14.4% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 17.5% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 19.1% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.8% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Grand Island
50.8°F
Grand Island +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 50.8°F | Grand Island + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 26.7 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Grand Island
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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