Asheville NC vs Orem UT — 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
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Orem
33.3
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Orem
10.5%
White
Asheville
N/A
Orem
77.1%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Orem
30.6%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 86,973 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 33.3 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 10.5% | - |
| White | N/A | 77.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.9% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 30.6% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Orem
$70,053
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Orem
$60,713
Orem +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Orem
4.0%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Orem
12.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $70,053 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $33,579 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $60,713 | Orem + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.0% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 12.7% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 25.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Asheville +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Orem
60.9%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $509,396 | Asheville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 60.9% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Orem
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.1% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 11.5% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 52.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.5 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Asheville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $461,425. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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