Asheville NC vs Newark NJ — 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
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Newark
307,188
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Newark
34.9%
White
Asheville
N/A
Newark
16.5%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Newark
46.7%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Newark
37.2%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 307,188 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.8 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 34.9% | - |
| White | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 46.7% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 37.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $48,416 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $25,509 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 24.7% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 17.4% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Asheville +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $482,675 | Asheville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 24.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 35.9% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 14.6% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 20.0% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 23.4% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 18.2% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Asheville +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 46.3 in | Asheville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 35.9 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Asheville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $461,425. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Newark 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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