Greensboro NC vs Jackson MS — 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%

Jackson, MS

Mississippi · Population: 149,827

  • Median HH Income$43,238
  • Median Home Price$88,100
  • Unemployment9.4%
  • Bachelor's+28.6%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Jackson
149,827
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Jackson
34.7
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Greensboro +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Greensboro +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Jackson
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Greensboro +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Greensboro +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Greensboro +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Greensboro +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
Jackson
28.6%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Greensboro +
Jackson
48.6%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Jackson
1808
Jackson +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
39.1%
Greensboro +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Greensboro +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Greensboro +
Jackson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Greensboro +
Jackson
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Greensboro +
Jackson
18.1%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Greensboro +
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Greensboro +
Jackson
54.1 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Greensboro +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Greensboro +
Jackson
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +

Which City is Right for You?

Greensboro leads in median household income at $58,884, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 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, Greensboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.1%.

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About Greensboro & Jackson