Greensboro NC vs Lake Charles LA — 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%
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Greensboro +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 81,679 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 36.2 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 4.7% | Greensboro + |
| White | 40.4% | 47.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.2% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 2.6% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 4.7% | Greensboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Greensboro +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Greensboro +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Greensboro +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Greensboro +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $56,864 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $35,847 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $55,297 | Greensboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.5% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 23.2% | Greensboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 29.4% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Greensboro +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Greensboro +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 643 | Greensboro + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2824 | Greensboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
39.1%
Greensboro +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Greensboro +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Greensboro +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Lake Charles
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Greensboro +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 45.6% | Greensboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.2% | Greensboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.7% | Greensboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.6% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 18.0% | Greensboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Greensboro +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 62.4 in | Greensboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Greensboro +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lake Charles, LA | 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
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Greensboro leads in median household income at $58,884, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Greensboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. 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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