Asheville NC vs Jacksonville FL — 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
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Jacksonville
961,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Jacksonville
12.2%
White
Asheville
N/A
Jacksonville
51.2%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Jacksonville
30.1%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Jacksonville
4.9%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Jacksonville
12.0%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 961,739 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 36.4 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 12.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 51.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 30.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 12.0% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Jacksonville
$66,981
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Jacksonville
$37,269
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Jacksonville
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Jacksonville
15.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Jacksonville
31.9%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $66,981 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $37,269 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 31.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Jacksonville
57.4%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $286,396 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 57.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Jacksonville
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Jacksonville
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Jacksonville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Jacksonville
14.8%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 34.8% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.2% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.8% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 13.9% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.8% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Asheville +
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 70.2°F | Asheville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 50.0 in | Asheville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 26.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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