Greensboro NC vs Hampton VA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Greensboro, NC
North Carolina · Population: 298,564
- Median HH Income$58,884
- Median Home Price$265,214
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+39.9%
Hampton, VA
Virginia · Population: 137,334
- Median HH Income$67,758
- Median Home Price$278,048
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Hampton
137,334
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Hampton
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Hampton
36.5
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
Hampton
5.2%
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Greensboro +
Hampton
37.5%
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Hampton
2.2%
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Greensboro +
Hampton
6.6%
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Hampton
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 137,334 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 36.5 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 5.2% | Greensboro + |
| White | 40.4% | 37.5% | Greensboro + |
| Black | 42.2% | 49.0% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 2.2% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 6.6% | Greensboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Hampton
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
Hampton
27.5%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $67,758 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $36,787 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.3% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 13.0% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 27.5% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Hampton
$278,048
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $278,048 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 55.6% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Hampton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
39.1%
Greensboro +
Hampton
40.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Greensboro +
Hampton
15.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Greensboro +
Hampton
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Greensboro +
Hampton
14.3%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 40.1% | Greensboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.0% | Greensboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.4% | Greensboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.5% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.1% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.3% | Greensboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Greensboro +
Hampton
61.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Hampton
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | 61.9°F | Greensboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Hampton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Hampton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Hampton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Greensboro +
Hampton
24.0 min
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 24.0 min | Greensboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hampton leads in median household income at $67,758, while greensboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,214. On public safety, Hampton is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Greensboro. Greensboro has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Hampton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Greensboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.1%.
Compare More Cities
Greensboro, NC vs New York, NYGreensboro, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Greensboro, NCGreensboro, NC vs Houston, TXGreensboro, NC vs Phoenix, AZGreensboro, NC vs Philadelphia, PA