Asheville NC vs Milwaukee 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
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Milwaukee
569,756
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Milwaukee
32.2
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Asheville
N/A
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Milwaukee
38.6%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Milwaukee
4.8%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Milwaukee
20.7%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 569,756 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 32.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 10.8% | - |
| White | N/A | 36.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 38.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 20.7% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $51,888 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $29,679 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 23.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 26.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 41.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 41.8% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 14.7% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.1% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 14.1% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.3% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 17.3% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Asheville +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Milwaukee, 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
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee 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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