Asheville NC vs Vancouver WA — 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
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Vancouver
13.6%
White
Asheville
N/A
Vancouver
70.6%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Vancouver
5.3%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 192,696 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 13.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 70.6% | - |
| Black | N/A | 3.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 5.3% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 17.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Vancouver
$78,156
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Vancouver
$42,839
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Vancouver
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Vancouver
11.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $78,156 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $42,839 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 11.1% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 31.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Asheville +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $510,577 | Asheville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 49.9% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Asheville +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Asheville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Vancouver
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 36.2% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.1% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.4% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.3% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Vancouver
41.6 in
Vancouver +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 41.6 in | Vancouver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 25.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Asheville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $461,425. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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