Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Greensboro
298,564
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Greensboro
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Greensboro
40.4%
Greensboro +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Greensboro
42.2%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Greensboro
10.4%
Greensboro +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Greensboro
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 298,564 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.1 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 12.7% | Greensboro + |
| White | 11.7% | 40.4% | Greensboro + |
| Black | 76.8% | 42.2% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.0% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 10.4% | Greensboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Greensboro
$58,884
Greensboro +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Greensboro
$35,858
Greensboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Greensboro
$59,120
Greensboro +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Greensboro
18.4%
Greensboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $58,884 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $35,858 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Greensboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.1% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 18.4% | Greensboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 39.9% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Greensboro
$265,214
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Greensboro
50.3%
Greensboro +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $265,214 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 50.3% | Greensboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Greensboro
398
Greensboro +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Greensboro
1999
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 398 | Greensboro + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1999 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Greensboro
39.1%
Greensboro +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Greensboro
12.2%
Greensboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Greensboro
18.0%
Greensboro +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Greensboro
11.5%
Greensboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Greensboro
13.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Greensboro
13.5%
Greensboro +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 39.1% | Greensboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.2% | Greensboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.0% | Greensboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 11.5% | Greensboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.6% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 13.5% | Greensboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Greensboro
59.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Greensboro
42.2 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 59.1°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 42.2 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Greensboro +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Greensboro
75.0%
Greensboro +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Greensboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Greensboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Greensboro
23.4 min
Greensboro +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 23.4 min | Greensboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Greensboro leads in median household income at $58,884, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Greensboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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, Greensboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.1%.
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