Asheville NC vs Minneapolis MN — 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
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Minneapolis
426,845
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Minneapolis
33.0
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Minneapolis
14.1%
White
Asheville
N/A
Minneapolis
61.6%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Minneapolis
18.3%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Minneapolis
5.2%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 426,845 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 33.0 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 14.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 61.6% | - |
| Black | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 5.2% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 10.5% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Minneapolis
$80,269
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Minneapolis
$50,605
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Minneapolis
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Minneapolis
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Minneapolis
54.4%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $80,269 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $50,605 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 54.4% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Minneapolis
48.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $334,719 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 48.0% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1992 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Minneapolis
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Minneapolis
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Minneapolis
12.7%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.1% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.9% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 19.8% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.7% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Minneapolis
24.2 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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