Signals
Asheville
Hendersonville
Opportunity
59 · Top 45%
vs54 · Bottom 45%
Climate
77 · Top 24%
vs72 · Top 43%
Physical resilience
73 · Top 32%
vs67 · Top 40%
Housing affordability
58 · Bottom 18%
vs45 · Bottom 7%
Access
99 · Top 14%
vs99 · Top 14%
Economic stability
39 · Bottom 16%
vs38 · Bottom 15%
Measured values
| Metric | Asheville | Hendersonville | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,535 | 15,408 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $71,102 | $53,449 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $45,430 | $40,007 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 2,079/sq mi | 1,953/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $440,000 | $317,000 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,402 | $1,332 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 51.9% | 46.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 3.4% | 3.0% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.3% | -1.5% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 53.4% | 38.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 14.3% | 14.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 86°F | 83°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 29°F | 27°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 40.6" | 51.4" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 9 mi | 9 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 20.0 min | 21.0 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 40.7 | 53.2 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Asheville
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Hendersonville
Elevated or high exposure: ice storm, earthquake.
Your best match
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Asheville
65
Your Score
64
Area Score
Hendersonville
62
Your Score
—
Area Score
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Full profiles: Asheville, NC · Hendersonville, NC · How this is calculated: methodology