Asheville NC vs Irvine CA — 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
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Irvine
308,160
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Irvine
33.9
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Irvine
39.3%
White
Asheville
N/A
Irvine
38.7%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Irvine
2.0%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Irvine
44.1%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Irvine
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 308,160 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 33.9 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 39.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 38.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 2.0% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 44.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 11.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Irvine
$129,647
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Irvine
$62,149
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Irvine
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Irvine
11.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Irvine
70.6%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $129,647 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $62,149 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.5% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 11.7% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 70.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Asheville +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Irvine
43.8%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $1,566,872 | Asheville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 43.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Irvine
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Asheville +
Irvine
2388
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Asheville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 19.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.3% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 15.4% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 5.0% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.2% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Irvine
65.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 65.3°F | Asheville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 14.3 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Irvine
26.0 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 26.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Asheville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $461,425. On public safety, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Irvine. Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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