salaryRent is higher than in 66% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.7 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 18.2 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $78,000 a year. That is $38 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other North Carolina cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of North Carolina. It is number 134 of 164 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Asheville?
Share of households by yearly income. 26.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Asheville
| Size | Asheville | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $778 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,293 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,632 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,747 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,599 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Asheville overall?
Everyday prices in the Asheville metro area are 3% below the U.S. average (index 96.5, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Asheville
Life in Asheville
What jobs pay in Asheville
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $136,460 | 17.1% |
| Software Developer | $134,350 | 17.4% |
| Physician Assistant | $131,260 | 17.8% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,770 | 18.3% |
| Lawyer | $105,480 | 22.2% |
| Dental Hygienist | $101,170 | 23.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $100,170 | 23.4% |
| Operations Manager | $93,470 | 25.0% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $89,400 | 26.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $81,590 | 28.7% |
| Accountant | $80,400 | 29.1% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $65,470 | 35.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $63,760 | 36.7% |
| Plumber | $59,200 | 39.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $58,120 | 40.3% |
| Police Officer | $58,090 | 40.3% |
| Electrician | $54,590 | 42.9% |
| Truck Driver | $51,750 | 45.2% |
| Carpenter | $51,290 | 45.6% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $50,080 | 46.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $44,420 | 52.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $40,170 | 58.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $38,980 | 60.0% |
| Warehouse Worker | $38,440 | 60.9% |
| Firefighter | $37,450 | 62.5% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,590 | 64.0% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $34,450 | 67.9% |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,110 | 68.6% |
| Cashier | $29,400 | 79.6% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Asheville?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,103 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $440,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $44,000 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Asheville, NC?
Renting in Asheville costs a median of about $1,950 a month in 2026, including utilities. The North Carolina median is $1,496.
How much do I need to make to live in Asheville?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $78,000 a year, or $38 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Asheville cheap or expensive?
Asheville is rated Expensive: rent takes 30.5% of the typical household income of $76,684. It ranks 134th cheapest of 164 North Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Asheville?
The median homeowner in Asheville pays $2,960 a year in property taxes, about 0.67% of the median home value.
Is Asheville more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 3% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Asheville?
The median home value in Asheville is $440,000, about 5.7 times the typical yearly household income.
94,535 people live in Asheville. Numbers are typical (middle) values.