Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in the Asheville metro area using data from the Niche. Niche uses 15 weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on cost of living, higher education rate, housing, public schools, diversity, and crime. You can read more about Niche's methodology here.
- Niche grade: B
- Public school grade: B
- Population: 10,408
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#25. Waynesville
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#24. Hendersonville
- Niche grade: B
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 15,253
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#23. Marion
- Niche grade: B
- Public school grade: B
- Population: 7,594
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#22. Brevard
- Niche grade: B+
- Public school grade: B+
- Population: 7,795
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#21. Fruitland
- Niche grade: B+
- Public school grade: B+
- Population: 2,417
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#20. East Flat Rock
- Niche grade: B+
- Public school grade: B+
- Population: 6,468
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#19. Mountain Home
- Niche grade: B+
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 3,518
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#18. Fletcher
- Niche grade: B+
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 8,022
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#17. Mills River
- Niche grade: A-
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 7,214
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#16. Woodfin
- Niche grade: A-
- Public school grade: B+
- Population: 7,957
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#15. Tryon
- Niche grade: A-
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 1,713
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#14. Asheville
- Niche grade: A-
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 94,369
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#13. Swannanoa
- Niche grade: A-
- Public school grade: B+
- Population: 6,043
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#12. Laurel Park
- Niche grade: A-
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 2,391
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#11. Valley Hill
- Niche grade: A-
- Public school grade: B+
- Population: 2,540
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#10. Lake Junaluska
- Niche grade: A-
- Public school grade: B
- Population: 2,903
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#9. Fairview
- Niche grade: A-
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 2,327
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#8. Avery Creek
- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 2,998
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#7. Black Mountain
- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: B+
- Population: 8,462
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#6. Flat Rock
- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: B+
- Population: 3,502
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#5. Balfour
- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 1,132
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#4. Biltmore Forest
- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 1,536
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#3. Mars Hill
- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: B+
- Population: 2,738
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#2. Weaverville
- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 4,618
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#1. Royal Pines
- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 4,528