Asheville NC vs Independence MO — 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

Independence, MO

Missouri · Population: 121,944

Median HH Income$59,480
Median Home Price$210,384
Unemployment6.0%
Bachelor's+20.9%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population

Asheville

N/A

Independence

121,944

Pop. Density / sq mi

Lower = more space

Asheville

N/A

Independence

N/A

Median Age

Asheville

N/A

Independence

38.4

Foreign Born

Asheville

N/A

Independence

5.3%

White

Asheville

N/A

Independence

72.2%

Black

Asheville

N/A

Independence

10.8%

Asian

Asheville

N/A

Independence

1.4%

Hispanic

Asheville

N/A

Independence

12.4%

Spanish at Home

Asheville

N/A

Independence

N/A

Metric	Asheville, NC	Independence, MO	Better
Population	N/A	121,944	-
Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space	N/A	N/A	-
Median Age	N/A	38.4	-
Foreign Born	N/A	5.3%	-
White	N/A	72.2%	-
Black	N/A	10.8%	-
Asian	N/A	1.4%	-
Hispanic	N/A	12.4%	-
Spanish at Home	N/A	N/A	-

Economy

Median HH Income

Asheville

N/A

Independence

$59,480

Per Capita Income

Asheville

N/A

Independence

$31,683

Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)

BEA MSA-level

Asheville

$59,120

Asheville +

Independence

$58,527

Unemployment Rate

Asheville

N/A

Independence

6.0%

Poverty Rate

Asheville

N/A

Independence

15.3%

Bachelor's Degree+

Asheville

N/A

Independence

20.9%

Metric	Asheville, NC	Independence, MO	Better
Median HH Income	N/A	$59,480	-
Per Capita Income	N/A	$31,683	-
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level	$59,120	$58,527	Asheville +
Unemployment Rate	N/A	6.0%	-
Poverty Rate	N/A	15.3%	-
Bachelor's Degree+	N/A	20.9%	-

Housing

Median Home Value

Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS

Asheville

$461,425

Independence

$210,384

Independence +

Homeownership Rate

Asheville

N/A

Independence

61.0%

Metric	Asheville, NC	Independence, MO	Better
Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS	$461,425	$210,384	Independence +
Homeownership Rate	N/A	61.0%	-

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Asheville

398

Asheville +

Independence

501

Property Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Asheville

1999

Asheville +

Independence

2418

Metric	Asheville, NC	Independence, MO	Better
Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.)	398	501	Asheville +
Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.)	1999	2418	Asheville +

Health

Obesity Rate

CDC PLACES

Asheville

31.5%

Asheville +

Independence

37.3%

Diabetes Rate

CDC PLACES

Asheville

10.4%

Asheville +

Independence

12.9%

Poor Mental Health

CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month

Asheville

15.9%

Asheville +

Independence

19.9%

No Health Insurance

CDC PLACES

Asheville

9.2%

Asheville +

Independence

11.5%

Binge Drinking

CDC PLACES

Asheville

15.7%

Asheville +

Independence

16.8%

Current Smokers

CDC PLACES

Asheville

12.1%

Asheville +

Independence

18.4%

Metric	Asheville, NC	Independence, MO	Better
Obesity RateCDC PLACES	31.5%	37.3%	Asheville +
Diabetes RateCDC PLACES	10.4%	12.9%	Asheville +
Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month	15.9%	19.9%	Asheville +
No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES	9.2%	11.5%	Asheville +
Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES	15.7%	16.8%	Asheville +
Current SmokersCDC PLACES	12.1%	18.4%	Asheville +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp

NOAA 1991–2020 normal

Asheville

55.9°F

Independence

54.5°F

Independence +

Annual Precipitation

NOAA 1991–2020 normal

Asheville

45.6 in

Independence

43.7 in

Independence +

Metric	Asheville, NC	Independence, MO	Better
Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal	55.9°F	54.5°F	Independence +
Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal	45.6 in	43.7 in	Independence +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg

EPA AQS (state-level est.)

Asheville

8.7 µg/m³

Asheville +

Independence

9.3 µg/m³

Good Air Days

AQI ≤ 50

Asheville

75.0%

Asheville +

Independence

55.0%

Metric	Asheville, NC	Independence, MO	Better
PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.)	8.7 µg/m³	9.3 µg/m³	Asheville +
Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50	75.0%	55.0%	Asheville +

Commute

Mean Commute Time

Census ACS

Asheville

N/A

Independence

25.5 min

Metric	Asheville, NC	Independence, MO	Better
Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS	N/A	25.5 min	-

Which City is Right for You?

Independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. 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%.

Compare More Cities

Asheville, NC vs New York, NY Asheville, NC vs Los Angeles, CA Asheville, NC vs Chicago, IL Asheville, NC vs Houston, TX Asheville, NC vs Phoenix, AZ Asheville, NC vs Philadelphia, PA

About Asheville & Independence

View Asheville NC Profile →View Independence MO Profile →