Asheville NC vs Salem OR — 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
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Salem
12.2%
White
Asheville
N/A
Salem
69.8%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 176,666 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 12.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 69.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.5% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 23.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $71,900 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $36,477 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.3% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 31.4% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 55.7% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Asheville +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3001 | Asheville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 41.4% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.7% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.8% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 11.6% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.2% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.4% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Asheville +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Asheville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Asheville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.5 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Asheville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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