Asheville NC vs South Bend IN — 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
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
South Bend
8.9%
White
Asheville
N/A
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Asheville
N/A
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 102,866 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 33.9 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 8.9% | - |
| White | N/A | 54.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 24.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.7% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 17.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Asheville +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $52,512 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $29,511 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,697 | Asheville + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.0% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 22.6% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 29.4% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 58.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 39.7% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 15.2% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 20.3% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.6% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 18.2% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Asheville +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Asheville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Asheville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
South Bend
21.6 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 21.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
South Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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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