Asheville, NC vs Burlington, NC

The cost of living difference between Asheville, NC and Burlington, NC is dramatic. Burlington is 35.4% cheaper than Asheville, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Asheville has a cost index of 107 while Burlington sits at 79, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Asheville is $1,303/month compared to $1,030/month in Burlington — a 27% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Burlington is more affordable at $188,700 median vs $411,000.

Median household income in Asheville is $67,221 compared to $54,941 in Burlington (+22.4%). The higher salaries in Asheville partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Asheville spend roughly 23.3% of their income on rent, more than the 22.5% in Burlington.