Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Asheville, NC
VS
Milwaukee, WI
🏆 Asheville leads 16 of 23 categories
Asheville
North Carolina
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.1
Median Household Income
$63,810 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
210⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
93,695
Milwaukee
Wisconsin
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.5 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$49,733
Violent Crime Index
377⚠ High
Population
573,299 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Asheville, NC
Pros
44% less violent crime than Milwaukee
Households earn $14,077 more per year on average
More college-educated — 51.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (4.1%)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 30°F
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
Milwaukee, WI
Pros
Homes cost $219k less ($157,800 vs $376,800)
Rent averages $268/mo less ($982 vs $1,250)
Cons
Violent crime (1430.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Asheville by $14,077/yr
Property crime (2700.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 4.1%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Asheville
Median Income
$14,077
$63,810 vs $49,733/yr
Asheville
Violent Crime
44% lower
796.1 vs 1430.9 per 100k
Asheville
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
4.1% vs 5.9% unemployment
Asheville
Summer Heat
3.1°F warmer
July avg high 85.9°F vs 82.8°F
Milwaukee
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 95.5 vs 96.1 (100 = US avg)
Milwaukee
Median Home Value
$219k less
$157,800 vs $376,800
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Milwaukee, WI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 96.1 | 95.5 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $376,800⚠ High | $157,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,250 | $982 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,810 ✓ Higher | $49,733 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.7 min ✓ Shorter | 22.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 16.6% ✓ Higher | 9.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 200⚠ High ✓ Safer | 277⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 210⚠ High ✓ Safer | 377⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High | 129⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (116) ✓ Better | C (82) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 51.2% ✓ Higher | 26.1% |
| High School or Higher | 93.4% ✓ Higher | 85.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Buncombe County Schools | Milwaukee School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.7°F ✓ Warmer | 29.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 85.9°F ✓ Warmer | 82.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.8" | 33.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 11.5" ✓ Less | 39.5" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 93,695 | 573,299 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.5 ✓ Older | 31.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% ✓ Higher | 41.2% |
| Under 18 | 16.7% | 25.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 19.6% ✓ More | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Asheville's cost of living index is 96.1 vs Milwaukee's 95.5 (US average = 100).
Milwaukee is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Asheville leads 16 of 23 categories. Asheville wins 16 and Milwaukee wins 7. 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 Milwaukee or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($376,800 vs $157,800 median home), income ($63,810 vs $49,733), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Asheville, NC and Milwaukee, WI are about 593 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.