Asheville NC vs Saint Paul MN — 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
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Saint Paul
307,762
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Saint Paul
33.5
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Saint Paul
18.7%
White
Asheville
N/A
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Saint Paul
16.2%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Saint Paul
17.9%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 307,762 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 33.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 18.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 53.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 17.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 9.1% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Saint Paul
$73,055
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Saint Paul
$41,594
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Saint Paul
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Saint Paul
15.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Saint Paul
43.5%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $73,055 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $41,594 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 43.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Saint Paul
53.2%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 53.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1992 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Saint Paul, MN | 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
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Saint Paul, MN | 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
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Saint Paul
24.1 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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