City Comparison

Asheville vs Irving

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Asheville

North Carolina
108
Above Average
$360,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$48,534
Median Income

Irving

Texas
100
Average
$318,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$73,400
Median Income

The Verdict

8.0%

Living in Irving costs 8.0% less than Asheville. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Asheville, you would need $69,444 in Irving.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
120
Asheville
94
Irving
Groceries
103
Asheville
99
Irving
Utilities
95
Asheville
111
Irving
Transportation
100
Asheville
97
Irving
Healthcare
106
Asheville
103
Irving

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Asheville has the same purchasing power as $69,444 in Irving.

Conversely, $75,000 in Irving equals $81,000 in Asheville.

Living in Asheville vs Irving

Housing Costs

Asheville's housing index of 120 is higher Irving's 94, translating to median home prices of $360,000 vs $318,000. The $42,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,736 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Asheville compared to $1,350/mo in Irving, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Asheville and 99 in Irving. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Asheville vs $470/month in Irving. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Asheville and 111 in Irving. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Asheville vs $444 in Irving. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Asheville and 103 in Irving. 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 $73,400 in Irving. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $44,939 and $73,400 respectively. Irving 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 $1,713/month in Irving. In Asheville, median rent of $1,500/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Irving is 8.0% more affordable overall with an index of 100 vs 108.
A $75,000 salary in Asheville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $69,444 in Irving, based on the cost of living difference.
Asheville's housing index is 120 with median homes at $360,000, while Irving's is 94 with median homes at $318,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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