Asheville, NC Cost of Living & Economic Score
Federal Bureau of Economic Analysis cost-of-living and household-budget data for the Asheville, NC metropolitan statistical area.
Cost of living in Asheville
According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, prices in the Asheville, NC metropolitan area run 5.0% below the U.S. average (Regional Price Parity index 95.0 on a base of 100). That puts Asheville close to the middle of the U.S. cost-of-living range.
For broader state context — including state taxes, insurance, and energy costs that affect every North Carolina household — see the North Carolina state report.
Other North Carolina metros
- Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC RPP 96.0 C+
- Raleigh, NC RPP 98.0 C+
Compare to similar-cost metros
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Asheville, NC?
The Asheville, NC metro area has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 95.0 (U.S.=100), meaning prices are 5.0% below the national average. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Is Asheville an affordable place to live?
Asheville, NC has an InflationRank score of 79/100 (grade C+), reflecting cost of living near the U.S. national average. The metro RPP of 95.0 compares to a U.S. baseline of 100.
How does Asheville compare to other cities for cost of living?
Asheville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 95.0 (U.S.=100), 5.0% below the national average. Similar-cost metros include Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY (RPP 95.0), Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, TN (RPP 95.0).
About the InflationRank Score
The InflationRank Score is a proprietary 0–100 composite that summarizes a metro area's cost-of-living and economic conditions on a familiar A–F grading scale. The composite weighs cost level, inflation pressure, and income resilience, sourced from federal government datasets and reviewed annually as federal data refreshes.
Underlying data is drawn from authoritative federal economic agencies and public housing datasets. See full data sources →