Asheville NC vs Salt Lake City UT — 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
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Salt Lake City
33.0
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Asheville
N/A
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 203,888 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 33.0 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| White | N/A | 70.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 2.7% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 5.3% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 20.8% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Salt Lake City
50.9%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $74,925 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $49,642 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.8% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 13.4% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 50.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Asheville +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $580,126 | Asheville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 46.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.2% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.3% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.0% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 21.3 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Asheville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $461,425. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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