Asheville NC vs Pittsburgh 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
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Pittsburgh
33.5
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Asheville
N/A
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 303,620 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 33.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 9.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 63.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 22.5% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 5.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 4.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Pittsburgh
47.8%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $64,137 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $43,590 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 19.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 47.8% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 47.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Asheville +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 25.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh 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).
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