Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Asheville, NC
VS
Kent, WA
🏆 Asheville leads 13 of 23 categories
Asheville
North Carolina
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$63,810
Violent Crime Index
210⚠ High
Population
93,695
Kent
Washington
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$86,966 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
129⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
135,169 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Asheville, NC
Pros
Rent averages $492/mo less ($1,250 vs $1,742)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.5 pts lower (4.1%)
Homes cost $102k less ($376,800 vs $478,400)
Commutes run 13 min shorter each way
17% cheaper overall cost of living than Kent
More college-educated — 51.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Kent by $23,156/yr
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
Kent, WA
Pros
38% less violent crime than Asheville
Households earn $23,156 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 78°F vs 86°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,742/mo
Violent crime (489.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $478,400
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
$102k less
$376,800 vs $478,400
Asheville
Unemployment
3.5 pp lower
4.1% vs 7.6% unemployment
Asheville
Summer Heat
7.6°F warmer
July avg high 85.9°F vs 78.3°F
Kent
Median Income
$23,156
$86,966 vs $63,810/yr
Kent
Violent Crime
38% lower
489.7 vs 796.1 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Kent, 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 | $478,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,250 ✓ Lower | $1,742⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,810 | $86,966 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.7 min ✓ Shorter | 30.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 16.6% ✓ Higher | 10.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 200⚠ High | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 210⚠ High | 129⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High | 180⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (116) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 51.2% ✓ Higher | 27.9% |
| High School or Higher | 93.4% ✓ Higher | 87.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Buncombe County Schools | Kent School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.7°F | 48.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.9°F ✓ Warmer | 78.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.8" | 44.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 11.5" | 6.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 93,695 | 135,169 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.5 ✓ Older | 34.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 55.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.7% | 24.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 19.6% ✓ More | 10.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Asheville's cost of living index is 96.1 vs Kent's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Asheville is 17% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Asheville leads 13 of 23 categories. Asheville wins 13 and Kent wins 10. 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 Kent or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($376,800 vs $478,400 median home), income ($63,810 vs $86,966), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Asheville, NC and Kent, WA are about 2,181 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.