Greensboro NC vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Lancaster
34.2
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Greensboro +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Lancaster
21.4%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 170,013 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.2 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 40.4% | 35.5% | Greensboro + |
| Black | 42.2% | 21.4% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 4.0% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Greensboro +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $29,766 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 7.1% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 20.1% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $466,147 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Greensboro +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Greensboro +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Greensboro + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Greensboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
39.1%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Greensboro +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Greensboro +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Greensboro +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Greensboro +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.6% | Greensboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.3% | Greensboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.9% | Greensboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.8% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.0% | Greensboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Greensboro +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | 62.1°F | Greensboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Greensboro +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 33.0 min | Greensboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, 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 503 in Lancaster. Greensboro has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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