Asheville NC vs Wichita KS — 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
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Wichita
396,488
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Wichita
10.0%
White
Asheville
N/A
Wichita
66.6%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Wichita
4.9%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 396,488 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 10.0% | - |
| White | N/A | 66.6% | - |
| Black | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $63,072 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $35,958 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 30.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Wichita
58.4%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 58.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Asheville +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 449 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2174 | Asheville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 39.5% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.6% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.7% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.9% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.3% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 57.0°F | Asheville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Wichita
20.2 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 20.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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