Asheville NC vs Miami 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
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Miami
446,663
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Miami
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Miami
39.7
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Miami
57.7%
White
Asheville
N/A
Miami
34.2%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Miami
13.7%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Miami
1.6%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Miami
71.2%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Miami
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 446,663 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 39.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 57.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 34.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 13.7% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 71.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Miami
$59,390
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Miami
$42,528
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Miami
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Miami
19.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Miami
35.6%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $59,390 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $42,528 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.0% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 19.2% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 35.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Asheville +
Miami
$580,996
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Miami
30.7%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $580,996 | Asheville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 30.7% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Miami
324
Miami +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Miami
1453
Miami +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Miami
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Miami
27.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Miami
12.3%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 29.9% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 15.5% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 15.0% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 27.2% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.3% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.3% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Miami
75.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Asheville +
Miami
64.1 in
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 75.8°F | Asheville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 64.1 in | Asheville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Miami
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Miami
29.9 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 29.9 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Asheville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $461,425. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
Compare More Cities
Asheville, NC vs New York, NYAsheville, NC vs Los Angeles, CAAsheville, NC vs Chicago, ILAsheville, NC vs Houston, TXAsheville, NC vs Phoenix, AZAsheville, NC vs Philadelphia, PA