Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Greensboro
298,564
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Greensboro
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Greensboro
12.7%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Greensboro
40.4%
Greensboro +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Greensboro
5.0%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Greensboro
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Greensboro
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 298,564 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.1 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 12.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 40.4% | Greensboro + |
| Black | 28.4% | 42.2% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 5.0% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 10.4% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Greensboro
$58,884
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Greensboro
$35,858
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Greensboro
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Greensboro
18.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Greensboro
39.9%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $58,884 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $35,858 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.1% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 18.4% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 39.9% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Greensboro
50.3%
Greensboro +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $265,214 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 50.3% | Greensboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Greensboro
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Greensboro
1999
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 398 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1999 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Greensboro
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Greensboro
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Greensboro
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Greensboro
11.5%
Greensboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Greensboro
13.5%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 39.1% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.2% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.5% | Greensboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 13.6% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.5% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Greensboro
59.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Greensboro
42.2 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 59.1°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 42.2 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Greensboro +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Greensboro
75.0%
Greensboro +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Greensboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Greensboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Greensboro
23.4 min
Greensboro +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 23.4 min | Greensboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while greensboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,214. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
Compare More Cities
Chicago, IL vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXChicago, IL vs Phoenix, AZChicago, IL vs Philadelphia, PAChicago, IL vs San Antonio, TX