Avg Rent
$1,431
Population
93,883
Renter Mix
51% Rent
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.
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.
The views of the Blue Ridge Mountains are breathtaking.
Locals can head into Downtown Asheville to explore.
The Pack Square Park is considered Asheville's front yard.
Asheville glows during dusk.
Bring your dog and enjoy a beer at WagBar in Flat Creek.
Residents can enjoy some fishing at nearby Lake Powhatan.
Median Household Income
$64,339
Average: $92,454
Education
43,447
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
47,882
Workers Employed
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.
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
As of September 2026, the average apartment rent in Asheville, NC is $1,292 for a studio, $1,428 for one bedroom, $1,672 for two bedrooms, and $1,989 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Asheville has decreased by -1.5% in the past year.
The cost of living in Asheville, NC is 6.6% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Asheville is 13.7% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,292 - $1,989. You can expect to pay 0.6% less for groceries, 3.4% less for utilities, and 8.0% less for transportation.
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Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Asheville, NC is for everyday living.
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
Moderately Bikeable
Bikeability
Public
Grades K-5
570 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
567 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
238 Students
F Delany New School For Children
Public
Grades K-8
178 Students
Public
Grades K-8
441 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
473 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
589 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
217 Students
F Delany New School For Children
Public
Grades K-8
178 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
568 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
364 Students
Buncombe County Early College High School
Public
Grades 9-12
274 Students
Public
Grades PK & 9-12
1,089 Students
Buncombe County Middle College High School
Public
Grades 9-12
49 Students
Public
Grades PK & 9-12
1,416 Students
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
† 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 September 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.
