Atlanta GA vs Greensboro NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
Greensboro, NC
North Carolina · Population: 298,564
- Median HH Income$58,884
- Median Home Price$265,214
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+39.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Greensboro
298,564
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Greensboro
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Greensboro
34.1
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Greensboro
40.4%
Greensboro +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Greensboro
42.2%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Greensboro
5.0%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Greensboro
10.4%
Greensboro +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Greensboro
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 298,564 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.1 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 12.7% | Greensboro + |
| White | 39.9% | 40.4% | Greensboro + |
| Black | 46.9% | 42.2% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 5.0% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 10.4% | Greensboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Greensboro
$58,884
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Greensboro
$35,858
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Greensboro
$59,120
Greensboro +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Greensboro
18.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Greensboro
39.9%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $58,884 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $35,858 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Greensboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.1% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 18.4% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 39.9% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Greensboro
50.3%
Greensboro +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $265,214 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 50.3% | Greensboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Greensboro
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Greensboro
1999
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 398 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1999 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Greensboro
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Greensboro
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Greensboro
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Greensboro
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Greensboro
13.5%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 39.1% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.2% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.0% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.5% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 13.6% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 13.5% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Greensboro
59.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Greensboro
42.2 in
Greensboro +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 42.2 in | Greensboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Greensboro +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Greensboro
75.0%
Greensboro +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Greensboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Greensboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Greensboro
23.4 min
Greensboro +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 23.4 min | Greensboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while greensboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,214. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Greensboro. Greensboro has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Greensboro has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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