Greensboro NC vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Lakeland
3.7%
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 82,506 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 48.4 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 40.4% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 42.2% | 8.8% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 3.7% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $60,465 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 26.8% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Lakeland
$312,001
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $312,001 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
39.1%
Lakeland
38.9%
Lakeland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Greensboro +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Greensboro +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Greensboro +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Lakeland
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Greensboro +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 38.9% | Lakeland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.3% | Greensboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.3% | Greensboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 16.4% | Greensboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.9% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.1% | Greensboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Greensboro +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Greensboro +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | 72.6°F | Greensboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 54.8 in | Greensboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Greensboro +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 25.6 min | Greensboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while greensboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,214. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Greensboro. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakeland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.9%.
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