Greensboro NC vs Knoxville TN — 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%
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Knoxville
193,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Knoxville
15.7%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Greensboro +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 193,721 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 7.0% | Greensboro + |
| White | 40.4% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 42.2% | 15.7% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 1.6% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 7.5% | Greensboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Greensboro +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Greensboro +
Knoxville
$33,171
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Greensboro +
Knoxville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Greensboro +
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
Knoxville
33.7%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $50,994 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $33,171 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,097 | Greensboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 20.5% | Greensboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 33.7% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Greensboro +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $371,202 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 46.6% | Greensboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Greensboro +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Greensboro +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 639 | Greensboro + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2350 | Greensboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
39.1%
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Greensboro +
Knoxville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Greensboro +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Greensboro +
Knoxville
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Knoxville
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Greensboro +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 36.0% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.6% | Greensboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 22.0% | Greensboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.9% | Greensboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.8% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.8% | Greensboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Greensboro +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | 57.8°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 51.9 in | Greensboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Greensboro +
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Greensboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Greensboro leads in median household income at $58,884, while greensboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,214. On public safety, Greensboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Greensboro has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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