Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Asheville and Fresno have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: North Carolina salaries · California salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Asheville has a housing index of 120 while Fresno sits at 111 (national average = 100). The median home in Asheville costs $360,000 compared to $330,000 in Fresno, a difference of $30,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,500 in Asheville versus $1,300 in Fresno.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Asheville scores 103 while Fresno scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Asheville (106) are higher than Fresno (100). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Asheville is $48,534 compared to $53,838 in Fresno. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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