Greensboro NC vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
Independence
5.3%
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 121,944 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 38.4 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 5.3% | Greensboro + |
| White | 40.4% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 42.2% | 10.8% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 1.4% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 12.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Greensboro +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Greensboro +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Independence
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $59,480 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $31,683 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,527 | Greensboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.0% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 20.9% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Greensboro +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Greensboro +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 501 | Greensboro + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2418 | Greensboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
39.1%
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Greensboro +
Independence
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Greensboro +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Independence
11.5%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Greensboro +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 37.3% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.9% | Greensboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.9% | Greensboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.5% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.8% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 18.4% | Greensboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Greensboro +
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | 54.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 43.7 in | Greensboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Greensboro +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Greensboro +
Independence
55.0%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Greensboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Greensboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Greensboro +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 25.5 min | Greensboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Greensboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. 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, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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