Asheville NC vs Philadelphia PA — 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
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Asheville
N/A
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Philadelphia
39.9%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Philadelphia
7.8%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 1,582,432 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.1 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 36.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 39.9% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 7.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $60,698 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $37,669 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 8.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 22.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 34.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 52.3% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Asheville +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 57.1°F | Asheville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 48.5 in | Asheville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Asheville +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Asheville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Asheville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 34.5 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Asheville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Asheville, NC vs New York, NYAsheville, NC vs Los Angeles, CAAsheville, NC vs Chicago, ILAsheville, NC vs Houston, TXAsheville, NC vs Phoenix, AZAsheville, NC vs San Antonio, TX