Asheville NC vs Roswell GA — 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
Roswell, GA
Georgia · Population: 92,577
- Median HH Income$124,422
- Median Home Price$662,209
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Roswell
18.7%
White
Asheville
N/A
Roswell
65.0%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Roswell
11.1%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Roswell
4.5%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Roswell
16.8%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 92,577 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 40.0 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 18.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 65.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 11.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.5% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Roswell
$124,422
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Roswell
$65,454
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Asheville +
Roswell
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Roswell
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Roswell
7.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Roswell
64.8%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $124,422 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $65,454 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,405 | Asheville + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.3% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 7.4% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 64.8% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Asheville +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Roswell
71.2%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $662,209 | Asheville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 71.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Roswell
392
Roswell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Roswell
1752
Roswell +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 392 | Roswell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1752 | Roswell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Roswell
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Roswell
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.9% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.4% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Roswell, GA | 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
Asheville +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Asheville +
Roswell
55.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Roswell, GA | 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
Roswell
29.6 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 29.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Asheville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $461,425. On public safety, Roswell is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Asheville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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