Asheville vs Evansville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Asheville
Evansville
The Verdict
Living in Evansville costs 35.0% less than Asheville. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Asheville, you would need $55,556 in Evansville.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Asheville has the same purchasing power as $55,556 in Evansville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Evansville equals $101,250 in Asheville.
Living in Asheville vs Evansville
Housing Costs
Asheville's housing index of 120 is higher Evansville's 55, translating to median home prices of $360,000 vs $170,000. The $190,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,348 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Asheville compared to $850/mo in Evansville, a monthly difference of $650.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Asheville and 95 in Evansville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Asheville vs $451/month in Evansville. Evansville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Asheville and 105 in Evansville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Asheville vs $420 in Evansville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Asheville and 105 in Evansville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $48,534 in Asheville and $48,600 in Evansville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $44,939 and $60,750 respectively. Evansville residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,132/month to housing in Asheville vs $1,134/month in Evansville. In Asheville, median rent of $1,500/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Evansville, median rent of $850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 65 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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