Asheville NC vs Little Rock AR — 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
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Little Rock
202,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Asheville
N/A
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Little Rock
39.4%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 202,739 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 36.4 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 7.9% | - |
| White | N/A | 46.4% | - |
| Black | N/A | 39.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.0% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 10.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Little Rock
$43,242
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Asheville +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Little Rock
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Little Rock
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Little Rock
44.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $60,583 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $43,242 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $53,714 | Asheville + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.2% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 44.0% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 54.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Asheville +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 660 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2507 | Asheville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Little Rock
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Little Rock
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Little Rock
13.3%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 40.5% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.1% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.5% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 11.4% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.3% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Asheville +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 62.7°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
Asheville +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Asheville +
Little Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Asheville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Asheville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Little Rock
20.0 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 20.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. 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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