Asheville NC vs Roanoke VA — 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
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Asheville
N/A
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 98,677 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 38.0 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 7.5% | - |
| White | N/A | 57.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 29.0% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 8.6% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $52,671 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $34,792 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.5% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 19.7% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 28.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 51.7% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 41.9% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 14.9% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.4% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 11.0% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.7% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 56.0°F | Asheville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Roanoke
21.6 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 21.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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