Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
7% cheaper
Phoenix is 7% more affordable than Asheville. A $75,000 salary in Asheville is equivalent to $69,444 in Phoenix.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: North Carolina salaries · Arizona salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Asheville has a housing index of 120 while Phoenix sits at 102 (national average = 100). The median home in Asheville costs $360,000 compared to $350,000 in Phoenix, a difference of $10,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,500 in Asheville versus $1,400 in Phoenix.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Asheville scores 103 while Phoenix scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Asheville (106) are higher than Phoenix (95). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Asheville is $48,534 compared to $57,459 in Phoenix. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Phoenix.
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