Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Asheville, NC
VS
High Point, NC
🏆 High Point leads 12 of 22 categories
Asheville
North Carolina
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.1
Median Household Income
$63,810 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
210⚠ High
Population
93,695
High Point
North Carolina
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,582
Violent Crime Index
120⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
114,120 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Asheville, NC
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (4.1%)
More college-educated — 51.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Households earn $5,228 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $376,800
Violent crime (796.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3895.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 3% higher than High Point
High Point, NC
Pros
Homes cost $180k less ($196,500 vs $376,800)
43% less violent crime than Asheville
Rent averages $220/mo less ($1,030 vs $1,250)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Asheville
Cons
Violent crime (454.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2456.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.2% vs 4.1%)
Median income trails Asheville by $5,228/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Asheville
Median Income
$5,228
$63,810 vs $58,582/yr
Asheville
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
4.1% vs 6.2% unemployment
High Point
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 96.1 (100 = US avg)
High Point
Violent Crime
43% lower
454.8 vs 796.1 per 100k
High Point
Median Home Value
$180k less
$196,500 vs $376,800
High Point
Summer Heat
3.5°F warmer
July avg high 89.4°F vs 85.9°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Asheville, NC | High Point, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 96.1 | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $376,800⚠ High | $196,500 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,250 | $1,030 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,810 ✓ Higher | $58,582 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.7 min ✓ Shorter | 20.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 16.6% ✓ Higher | 8.0% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 200⚠ High | 119⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 210⚠ High | 120⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High | 117⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (116) ✓ Better | B (103) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.1:1 | 15.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 51.2% ✓ Higher | 34.4% |
| High School or Higher | 93.4% ✓ Higher | 86.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Buncombe County Schools | Guilford County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.7°F | 51.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.9°F | 89.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.8" ✓ Drier | 48.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 11.5" | 1.9" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 93,695 | 114,120 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.5 ✓ Older | 37.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 58.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.7% | 22.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 19.6% ✓ More | 15.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Asheville's cost of living index is 96.1 vs High Point's 92.7 (US average = 100).
High Point is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, High Point leads 12 of 22 categories. Asheville wins 10 and High Point wins 12. 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 High Point or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($376,800 vs $196,500 median home), income ($63,810 vs $58,582), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Asheville, NC and High Point, NC are about 146 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.