Asheville NC vs Stamford CT — 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
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Stamford
31.8%
White
Asheville
N/A
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Stamford
19.9%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Stamford
7.1%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Stamford
28.1%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 135,806 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 38.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 31.8% | - |
| White | N/A | 49.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 19.9% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 28.1% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Stamford
$107,474
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Stamford
$64,382
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Stamford
9.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Stamford
51.7%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $107,474 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $64,382 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 9.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 51.7% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Asheville +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $708,498 | Asheville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 47.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.3% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.4% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Asheville +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 53.2 in | Asheville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 30.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Asheville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $461,425. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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