Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Asheville, NC
VS
Minneapolis, MN
🏆 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 ✓ Safer
Population
93,695
Minneapolis
Minnesota
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$76,332 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
305⚠ High
Population
426,877 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Asheville, NC
Pros
31% less violent crime than Minneapolis
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (4.1%)
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 22°F
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Minneapolis
Cons
Violent crime (796.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Minneapolis by $12,522/yr
Pricier housing — median home is $376,800
Property crime (3895.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Minneapolis, MN
Pros
Households earn $12,522 more per year on average
Homes cost $48k less ($328,700 vs $376,800)
Smaller class sizes — 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (1160.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (5142.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.8% vs 4.1%)
Cost of living runs 8% higher than Asheville
Key Differences at a Glance
Asheville
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 96.1 vs 104.5 (100 = US avg)
Asheville
Violent Crime
31% lower
796.1 vs 1160.2 per 100k
Asheville
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
4.1% vs 5.8% unemployment
Minneapolis
Median Income
$12,522
$76,332 vs $63,810/yr
Minneapolis
Median Home Value
$48k less
$328,700 vs $376,800
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Minneapolis, MN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 96.1 ✓ Cheaper | 104.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $376,800⚠ High | $328,700⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,250 ✓ Lower | $1,267 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,810 | $76,332 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.7 min ✓ Shorter | 22.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 16.6% | 19.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 200⚠ High ✓ Safer | 281⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 210⚠ High ✓ Safer | 305⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High ✓ Safer | 245⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (116) | A- (117) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.1:1 | 11.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 51.2% | 53.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 93.4% ✓ Higher | 90.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Buncombe County Schools | Minneapolis Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.7°F ✓ Warmer | 21.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 85.9°F ✓ Warmer | 83.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.8" | 33.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 11.5" ✓ Less | 40.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 93,695 | 426,877 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.5 ✓ Older | 32.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% ✓ Higher | 48.1% |
| Under 18 | 16.7% | 19.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 19.6% ✓ More | 10.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Asheville's cost of living index is 96.1 vs Minneapolis's 104.5 (US average = 100).
Asheville is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Asheville leads 14 of 23 categories. Asheville wins 14 and Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($376,800 vs $328,700 median home), income ($63,810 vs $76,332), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Asheville, NC and Minneapolis, MN are about 859 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.