Living in Asheville, NC offers a unique combination of natural beauty and cultural richness. Known as the 'Paris of the South,' Asheville boasts a vibrant arts scene, stunning mountain views, and a welcoming community. The city’s eclectic vibe and diverse amenities make it an attractive place to live for people of all ages.
Asheville’s downtown area is a hub of activity, featuring a variety of shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions. The city hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year, including the Asheville Food and Wine Festival and the Bele Chere Festival, which celebrate local culture and foster a strong sense of community. The nearby Blue Ridge Mountains provide ample opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, biking, and fishing.
The dining scene in Asheville is diverse and exciting, offering everything from farm-to-table restaurants to cozy cafes and international eateries. The city’s farmers markets and local events emphasize fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Asheville is also known for its vibrant music and arts scene, with numerous galleries, theaters, and live music venues.
Asheville’s location offers convenient access to both urban amenities and natural wonders, making it ideal for those who want the best of both worlds. The city is well-connected by major highways and public transportation options, ensuring easy travel. Additionally, the cost of living in Asheville is relatively affordable, providing a high quality of life at a reasonable cost.
For those considering a move to North Carolina, Asheville stands out as a top choice. Its blend of cultural vibrancy, natural beauty, and strong community spirit make living in Asheville, NC a truly rewarding experience. Whether you’re drawn by its artistic opportunities, outdoor activities, or eclectic atmosphere, Asheville offers a fantastic place to call home.
Commute
High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Crime
This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.
Ratings
AreaVibes conducted surveys and polls with locals who live in the area. The results were not favorable for walkability of amenities, parks, public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.
Asheville, North Carolina is a medium-sized city with a population of 95,516 inhabitants. The majority of Asheville residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. Asheville is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 45%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Asheville offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 18 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re moving to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Asheville could be a positive experience compared to other cities in North Carolina if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, commute, education, you can easily compare the best places to live in Asheville and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Asheville to North Carolina and the national average.
The livability score in Asheville is 72 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 80th percentile of all cities across America. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Asheville has higher than average scores for the following: cost of living (B), education (B) and housing (A-). On a more negative note, Asheville does not have favorable grades for the following: crime (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
Unemployment rates can vary significantly among cities, impacting job prospects, wage levels and the overall economic health of an area. In Asheville, the unemployment rate stands at 2.5%, suggesting increased job opportunities and a heightened demand for workers. This scenario can lead to higher wages, as the demand for employees outpaces job availability. Importantly, a low unemployment rate often signifies a robust and flourishing local economy.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Asheville apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Asheville real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Asheville. Median real estate prices in Asheville come in at $525,260, which is 81.5% higher than the North Carolina average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Asheville, the home price to income ratio is 6.6, which is 61% higher than the North Carolina average.
| Statistic | Asheville | North Carolina | National |
| Average one way commute | 18min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 74.1% | 81.1% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 6.6% | 9.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.4% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.7% | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 3.3% | 1.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 13.0% | 4.8% | 4.6% |
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