Asheville is a bustling city in the mountains.
Biking and hiking are wildly popular for Bent Creek residents.
The views of the Blue Ridge Mountains are breathtaking.
South French Broad locals can head into Downtown Asheville to explore.
The Pack Square Park is considered Asheville's front yard.

Asheville, NC

Area Guide

Avg Rent

$1,442

Population

93,883

Renter Mix

51% Rent

The hippest mountain town east of Denver

Mountains Outdoors Eclectic

Welcome to Asheville, where mountain scenery meets artistic spirit in the heart of Western North Carolina. Situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains at the confluence of the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers, this mountain city combines outdoor adventure with a thriving arts scene. Downtown features preserved Art Deco architecture housing galleries, restaurants, and breweries, while the historic Montford neighborhood showcases Victorian homes along tree-lined streets. The University of North Carolina at Asheville campus contributes to the city's energy, and the Biltmore Estate stands as a testament to American history. Renters can choose from modern apartments to historic bungalows, with average rents ranging from $1,263 for studios to $2,232 for four-bedroom homes, with rates down about 4.5% over the past year.

The Blue Ridge Parkway and nearby hiking trails provide easy access to outdoor recreation. The River Arts District features converted industrial buildings now housing working studios and galleries, while West Asheville offers an established arts scene. South Slope has developed into a brewery district, and Biltmore Village presents shopping and dining options in a historic setting. Asheville holds the distinction of being the first Green Dining Destination in the U.S. Local traditions continue through events like the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival, established in 1928. With 94,589 residents, Asheville combines small-city accessibility with cultural amenities that appeal to many renters.

Explore the City

The city skyline and mountains at dusk

The views of the Blue Ridge Mountains are breathtaking.

Asheville folks love spending an afternoon at the North Carolina Arboretum.

Residents can enjoy some fishing at nearby Lake Powhatan.

Bring your dog and enjoy a beer at WagBar in Flat Creek.

South French Broad locals can head into Downtown Asheville to explore.

Demographics

Median Household Income

$64,339

Average: $92,454

Education

43,447

Residents Have a Degree

Job Market

47,882

Workers Employed

Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.

Median Age

41 Years

Largest Age Group

30-39 Years

Approximately 16% of Residents

Under 20

20%

Over 65

21%

Housing Distribution

In Asheville, there are roughly the same number of renters and homeowners.

Renters
51%
Non-Renters
49%

Education Distribution

Review this city's overall education levels.

Bachelor's or Higher
38%
Other Education
62%

Rent Trends

As of June 2026, the average apartment rent in Asheville, NC is $1,277 for a studio, $1,440 for one bedroom, $1,673 for two bedrooms, and $1,900 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Asheville has decreased by -3.1% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,440/month
776 Sq Ft
House
$2,306/month
1,199 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,685/month
663 Sq Ft
Townhome
$2,056/month
1,242 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Asheville, NC

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Asheville, NC is 6.7% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Asheville is 13.3% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,277 - $1,900. You can expect to pay 0.4% less for groceries, 4.7% less for utilities, and 7.7% less for transportation.

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Getting Around

Exceptionally Drivable

Drivability

100 / 100

Moderately Bikeable

Bikeability

70 / 100

Schools

West Buncombe Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

588 Students

Vance Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

301 Students

Sand Hill-Venable Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

534 Students

F Delany New School For Children

Public

Grades K-8

178 Students

Emma Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

289 Students

A C Reynolds Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

479 Students

Asheville Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

589 Students

Montford North Star

Public

Grades 6-8

224 Students

F Delany New School For Children

Public

Grades K-8

178 Students

Clyde A Erwin Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

568 Students

Nesbitt Discovery Academy

Public

Grades 9-12

374 Students

Buncombe County Early College High School

Public

Grades 9-12

274 Students

Buncombe County Middle College High School

Public

Grades 9-12

49 Students

T C Roberson High

Public

Grades PK & 9-12

1,491 Students

A C Reynolds High

Public

Grades PK & 9-12

1,133 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Biltmore
  • North Carolina Arboretum
  • Colburn Earth Science Museum
  • Parkway Visitor Center
  • Blue Ridge National Heritage Area

Airports

  • Asheville Regional

Top Apartments in Asheville

Houses for Rent in Asheville

Property Management Companies in Asheville, NC

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.