Greensboro NC vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Indianapolis
34.1
Tie
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Indianapolis
28.1%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Indianapolis
4.1%
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.1 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 11.6% | Greensboro + |
| White | 40.4% | 53.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 42.2% | 28.1% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 4.1% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 13.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Greensboro +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Indianapolis
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $62,995 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $36,194 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,697 | Greensboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.2% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 15.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 34.2% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
39.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 41.8 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Greensboro +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Greensboro +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Greensboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Greensboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Greensboro +
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 25.8 min | Greensboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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).
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