Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Asheville, NC
VS
Federal Way, WA
🏆 Asheville leads 14 of 23 categories
Asheville
North Carolina
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$63,810
Violent Crime Index
210⚠ High
Population
93,695
Federal Way
Washington
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$80,360 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
144⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
99,614 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Asheville, NC
Pros
Rent averages $410/mo less ($1,250 vs $1,660)
Commutes run 16 min shorter each way
Homes cost $78k less ($376,800 vs $454,300)
17% cheaper overall cost of living than Federal Way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.4 pts lower (4.1%)
More college-educated — 51.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (796.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Federal Way by $16,550/yr
Property crime (3895.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Federal Way, WA
Pros
31% less violent crime than Asheville
Households earn $16,550 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 86°F
Cons
Violent crime (545.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,660/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $454,300
Cost of living runs 17% higher than Asheville
Key Differences at a Glance
Asheville
Cost of Living
17% cheaper
COL index 96.1 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Asheville
Median Home Value
$78k less
$376,800 vs $454,300
Asheville
Unemployment
1.4 pp lower
4.1% vs 5.5% unemployment
Asheville
Summer Heat
9.1°F warmer
July avg high 85.9°F vs 76.8°F
Federal Way
Median Income
$16,550
$80,360 vs $63,810/yr
Federal Way
Violent Crime
31% lower
545.4 vs 796.1 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Federal Way, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 96.1 ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $376,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $454,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,250 ✓ Lower | $1,660⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,810 | $80,360 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.7 min ✓ Shorter | 33.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 16.6% ✓ Higher | 10.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 200⚠ High | 169⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 210⚠ High | 144⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High ✓ Safer | 208⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (116) ✓ Better | B- (92) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 51.2% ✓ Higher | 30.6% |
| High School or Higher | 93.4% ✓ Higher | 90.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Buncombe County Schools | Federal Way School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.7°F | 48.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.9°F ✓ Warmer | 76.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.8" | 40.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 11.5" | 6.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 93,695 | 99,614 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.5 ✓ Older | 37.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 55.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.7% | 23.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 19.6% ✓ More | 14.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Asheville's cost of living index is 96.1 vs Federal Way's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Asheville is 17% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Asheville leads 14 of 23 categories. Asheville wins 14 and Federal Way wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Asheville to Federal Way or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($376,800 vs $454,300 median home), income ($63,810 vs $80,360), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Asheville, NC and Federal Way, WA are about 2,186 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.