Asheville NC vs Knoxville TN — 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
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Knoxville
193,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Knoxville
33.3
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Asheville
N/A
Knoxville
72.2%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Knoxville
15.7%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 193,721 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 33.3 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 7.0% | - |
| White | N/A | 72.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 7.5% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Knoxville
$33,171
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Asheville +
Knoxville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Knoxville
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Knoxville
33.7%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $50,994 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $33,171 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,097 | Asheville + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 20.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 33.7% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $371,202 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 46.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Asheville +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 639 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2350 | Asheville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Knoxville
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Knoxville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Knoxville
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Knoxville
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 36.0% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.6% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 22.0% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.9% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.8% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 17.8% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Knoxville
57.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Asheville +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 57.8°F | Asheville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 51.9 in | Asheville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Asheville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Knoxville
22.0 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 22.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. 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%.
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