Asheville NC vs Tucson AZ — 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
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Tucson
543,348
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Tucson
13.7%
White
Asheville
N/A
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Tucson
42.7%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 543,348 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.6 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 13.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 58.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 5.0% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 42.7% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Tucson
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $54,546 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $31,152 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 30.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 51.7% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Asheville +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 450 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2150 | Asheville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 33.5% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.5% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.3% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 15.7% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.5% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 69.8°F | Asheville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 23.9 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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