CostIndexUSA

Asheville, NC vs Fremont, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNC
Asheville
96.5
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
CA
Fremont
115.6
overall index
$3,075/mo rent

Asheville is significantly cheaper than Fremont — 19.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Asheville, you would need $95,800 in Fremont. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+108.5%
Asheville
93.4
Fremont
194.7
🛒 Groceries+12.3%
Asheville
96.6
Fremont
108.5
🚗 Transportation+8.1%
Asheville
103.1
Fremont
111.5
🏥 Healthcare+8.1%
Asheville
93.3
Fremont
100.9
Utilities+94.8%
Asheville
88.6
Fremont
172.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Asheville to see what you'd need to earn in Fremont to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Fremont, CA
$95,800
$15,800 more needed in Fremont

Formula: salary × (115.6 ÷ 96.5) = salary × 1.1979. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Asheville, NC

Median Home Price
$413,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,750
Housing Index
93.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.7×

Fremont, CA

Median Home Price
$1,090,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,075
Housing Index
194.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.5×

Fremont has 108.5% higher housing costs compared to Asheville.

Income & Job Market

Asheville, NC

Median Household Income
$67,800
Per Capita Income
$38,600
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
Population
92,452
Top Industries
TourismHealthcareTechnologyArtsManufacturing

Fremont, CA

Median Household Income
$127,800
Per Capita Income
$72,800
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
230,504
Top Industries
TechnologyManufacturingHealthcareRetailEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Asheville, NC
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Fremont, CA
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.