Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Asheville, NC
VS
Yonkers, NY
🏆 Asheville leads 17 of 23 categories
Asheville
North Carolina
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$63,810
Violent Crime Index
210⚠ High
Population
93,695
Yonkers
New York
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$78,208 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
82 ✓ Safer
Population
209,780 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Asheville, NC
Pros
Rent averages $409/mo less ($1,250 vs $1,659)
Commutes run 17 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.5 pts lower (4.1%)
Homes cost $80k less ($376,800 vs $456,500)
16% cheaper overall cost of living than Yonkers
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 Yonkers by $14,398/yr
Property crime (3895.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Yonkers, NY
Pros
61% less violent crime than Asheville
Households earn $14,398 more per year on average
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,659/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $456,500
Cost of living runs 16% higher than Asheville
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Asheville
Cost of Living
16% cheaper
COL index 96.1 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Asheville
Median Home Value
$80k less
$376,800 vs $456,500
Asheville
Unemployment
2.5 pp lower
4.1% vs 6.6% unemployment
Yonkers
Median Income
$14,398
$78,208 vs $63,810/yr
Yonkers
Violent Crime
61% lower
311.8 vs 796.1 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Yonkers, NY |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 96.1 ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $376,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $456,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,250 ✓ Lower | $1,659⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,810 | $78,208 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.7 min ✓ Shorter | 34.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 16.6% ✓ Higher | 9.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 200⚠ High | 69 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 210⚠ High | 82 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High | 48 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (116) ✓ Better | B (99) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 51.2% ✓ Higher | 35.5% |
| High School or Higher | 93.4% ✓ Higher | 83.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Buncombe County Schools | YONKERS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.7°F ✓ Warmer | 39.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 85.9°F ✓ Warmer | 85.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.8" ✓ Drier | 51.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 11.5" ✓ Less | 32.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 93,695 | 209,780 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.5 ✓ Older | 39.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% ✓ Higher | 48.3% |
| Under 18 | 16.7% | 20.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 19.6% ✓ More | 16.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Asheville's cost of living index is 96.1 vs Yonkers's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Asheville is 16% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Asheville leads 17 of 23 categories. Asheville wins 17 and Yonkers wins 6. 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 Yonkers or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($376,800 vs $456,500 median home), income ($63,810 vs $78,208), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Asheville, NC and Yonkers, NY are about 599 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.