Asheville NC vs Madison WI — 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
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Madison
275,568
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Madison
31.8
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Madison
11.6%
White
Asheville
N/A
Madison
73.0%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Madison
8.0%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 275,568 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 31.8 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 11.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 73.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 8.0% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 9.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Madison
$48,557
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Madison
2.7%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Madison
59.2%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $76,983 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $48,557 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 2.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 59.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 46.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Madison
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 32.7% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 16.5% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 20.8% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Asheville +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Asheville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Asheville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Madison
21.2 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 21.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. 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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