Living in Asheville, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Asheville · Census data 2020–2024
Asheville has 94,535 residents with a median age of 40.7. The median household income is $71,102 (about the same as the North Carolina median), the median home value is $440,000, the median rent is $1,402/month.
Asheville at a glance
- Population
- 94,535
- Median age
- 40.7State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $71,102State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $440,000State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $1,402/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 51.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 53.4%
- Average commute
- 18 min
Is Asheville a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 18 minutes.
Cons: Median household income about the same as the North Carolina median; home values 52% higher than the state median; unemployment of 5.1%; a poverty rate of 14.3%.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Asheville
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Asheville the median home value is $440,000, 32% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,402 per month, which is 31.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,886 a month in housing costs.
Asheville median household income
The median household income in Asheville is $71,102 and the income per person is $45,430. 14.3% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Asheville: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 50,034
- Owner-occupied
- 51.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 48.1%
- Vacant
- 25.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1982
- Average household size
- 2.43
Asheville demographics
- Population
- 94,535
- Median age
- 40.7
- Under 18
- 14.8%
- 65 and older
- 20.1%
- Households
- 37,394
- Foreign-born
- 7%
- Veterans
- 5.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Asheville ›
Education in Asheville
53.4% of adults 25 and older in Asheville have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 22.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Asheville
- Unemployment rate
- 5.1%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 18 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 20.1%
- Drive alone
- 66.1%
- Public transit
- 1.3%
- Walk to work
- 3.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 90.5%
Asheville vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | 94,535 | $71,102 | $440,000 | $1,402 |
| Biltmore Forest | 1,587 | $169,167 | $1,333,300 | — |
| Emma | 2,657 | $43,907 | $92,300 | $1,064 |
| Bent Creek | 1,384 | $72,176 | $404,000 | — |
| Woodfin | 8,048 | $71,384 | $366,700 | $1,546 |
| Royal Pines | 4,325 | $107,885 | $400,200 | $1,596 |
| Avery Creek | 2,887 | $113,261 | $412,900 | — |
| Weaverville | 4,687 | $88,221 | $463,700 | $1,783 |
| Fairview | 2,298 | $92,132 | $439,600 | — |
More for people moving to Asheville
Asheville ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Asheville: FAQ
What is the median household income in Asheville, NC?
The median household income in Asheville is $71,102, about the same as the North Carolina median of $72,388 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Asheville?
The median home value in Asheville is $440,000, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Asheville?
The median gross rent in Asheville is $1,402 per month, about 31.7% of household income.
Is Asheville, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 18 minutes. Minuses: median household income about the same as the North Carolina median; home values 52% higher than the state median; unemployment of 5.1%; a poverty rate of 14.3%.
What is the median age in Asheville?
The median age in Asheville is 40.7 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Asheville?
The average commute to work in Asheville is 18 minutes; 20.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Asheville?
The unemployment rate in Asheville is 5.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Asheville?
53.4% of adults in Asheville have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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