Greensboro NC vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Jersey City
289,691
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Jersey City
34.7
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Greensboro +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Jersey City
21.4%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 289,691 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.7 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 40.4% | 28.7% | Greensboro + |
| Black | 42.2% | 21.4% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.8% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 15.6% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Greensboro +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $664,939 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 28.8% | Greensboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
39.1%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Greensboro +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Jersey City
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.0% | Greensboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.3% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | N/A | - |
| 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
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Greensboro +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 40.3 min | Greensboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while greensboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,214. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Greensboro. Greensboro has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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