Asheville NC vs Peoria AZ — 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
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Peoria
194,338
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Peoria
42.1
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Peoria
11.3%
White
Asheville
N/A
Peoria
72.6%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Peoria
3.4%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Peoria
5.8%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Peoria
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 194,338 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 42.1 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 11.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 72.6% | - |
| Black | N/A | 3.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 5.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 19.7% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Peoria
$93,403
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Peoria
$45,831
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Peoria
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Peoria
3.5%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Peoria
8.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Peoria
35.5%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $93,403 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $45,831 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.5% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 8.4% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 35.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Asheville +
Peoria
$488,428
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Peoria
75.5%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $488,428 | Asheville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 75.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Peoria
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Asheville +
Peoria
2150
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 450 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2150 | Asheville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Peoria
29.5%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Peoria
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Peoria
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Peoria
15.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Peoria
10.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 29.5% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.5% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 14.5% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 10.3% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.6% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Peoria
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Peoria
31.2 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 31.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Asheville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $461,425. On public safety, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Peoria. Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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