Asheville NC vs Hampton VA — 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
Hampton, VA
Virginia · Population: 137,334
- Median HH Income$67,758
- Median Home Price$278,048
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Hampton
137,334
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Hampton
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Hampton
36.5
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Hampton
5.2%
White
Asheville
N/A
Hampton
37.5%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Hampton
49.0%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Hampton
2.2%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Hampton
6.6%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Hampton
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 137,334 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 36.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 5.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 37.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 49.0% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.2% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 6.6% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Hampton
$67,758
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Hampton
$36,787
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Hampton
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Hampton
13.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Hampton
27.5%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $67,758 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $36,787 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.3% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 13.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 27.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Hampton
55.6%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $278,048 | Hampton + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 55.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Hampton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Hampton
40.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Hampton
15.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Hampton
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Hampton
9.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Hampton
14.3%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 40.1% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 15.0% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.4% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.5% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 13.1% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.3% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Hampton
61.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Hampton
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 61.9°F | Asheville + |
| 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
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Hampton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Hampton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Hampton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Hampton
24.0 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Hampton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $278,048. On public safety, Hampton is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Hampton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
Compare More Cities
Asheville, NC vs New York, NYAsheville, NC vs Los Angeles, CAAsheville, NC vs Chicago, ILAsheville, NC vs Houston, TXAsheville, NC vs Phoenix, AZAsheville, NC vs Philadelphia, PA