Asheville NC vs Kent WA — 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
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Kent
35.8
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Kent
14.1%
White
Asheville
N/A
Kent
67.2%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Kent
31.8%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 84,389 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.8 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 14.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 67.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 2.3% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 31.8% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Kent
$72,867
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Kent
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Kent
13.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $72,867 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $35,662 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 13.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 27.0% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Asheville +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Kent
62.8%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $657,911 | Asheville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 62.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Kent
383
Kent +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Asheville +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Asheville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Kent
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Kent
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Kent
15.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.2% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 10.6% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 53.2°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 39.1 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Kent
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Kent
23.0 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 23.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Asheville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $461,425. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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