Asheville NC vs Port St. Lucie FL — 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
Port St. Lucie, FL
Florida · Population: 220,453
- Median HH Income$78,137
- Median Home Price$327,700
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
White
Asheville
N/A
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 220,453 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 43.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 19.5% | - |
| White | N/A | 60.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 19.2% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.2% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 23.0% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Port St. Lucie +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $78,137 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $36,352 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.5% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 8.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 26.8% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Port St. Lucie +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $327,700 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 83.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Port St. Lucie
324
Port St. Lucie +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Port St. Lucie
1453
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Port St. Lucie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 30.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.1% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 16.6% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 14.5% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.9% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Port St. Lucie
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Port St. Lucie, FL | 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
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Port St. Lucie +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Port St. Lucie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Port St. Lucie
32.0 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 32.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Port St. Lucie offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,700. On public safety, Port St. Lucie is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Port St. Lucie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Port St. Lucie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.5%.
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