Asheville NC vs Worcester MA — 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
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Worcester
23.2%
White
Asheville
N/A
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 205,501 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.1 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 23.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 58.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 12.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 6.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 24.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $67,544 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $35,825 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 19.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 34.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 42.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 35.3% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.4% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.9% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.1% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.5% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Asheville +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 48.1 in | Asheville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 27.3 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
Compare More Cities
Asheville, NC vs New York, NYAsheville, NC vs Los Angeles, CAAsheville, NC vs Chicago, ILAsheville, NC vs Houston, TXAsheville, NC vs Phoenix, AZAsheville, NC vs Philadelphia, PA