Cost of Living in Asheville, NC

With a cost of living index of 107, Asheville, NC is somewhat more expensive than average. Living here is 7% more expensive than the national average and 23% above the North Carolina state average of 84. With a population of 94,369, Asheville is a mid-sized community that balances access to services with a more manageable cost of living compared to larger metros.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Asheville's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,303 (1% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $411,000 (35% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 6.1x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Asheville is $67,221, which is 11% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 23% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum.

Everyday prices in the Asheville, NC (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area are generally below the national average. Out of 6 common items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 are priced lower than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.