Greensboro NC vs Lansing MI — 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%
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
Lansing
10.1%
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Lansing
23.4%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 112,546 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 33.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 10.1% | Greensboro + |
| White | 40.4% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 42.2% | 23.4% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 12.9% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Greensboro +
Lansing
$52,170
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Greensboro +
Lansing
$29,894
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Greensboro +
Lansing
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Greensboro +
Lansing
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
Lansing
29.6%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $52,170 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $29,894 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,052 | Greensboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 8.1% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 19.9% | Greensboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 29.6% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 53.9% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Greensboro +
Lansing
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | Greensboro + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
39.1%
Greensboro +
Lansing
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Greensboro +
Lansing
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Greensboro +
Lansing
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Lansing
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Greensboro +
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 39.9% | Greensboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.4% | Greensboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.6% | Greensboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.4% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.8% | Greensboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | 48.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Greensboro +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Greensboro +
Lansing
55.0%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Greensboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Greensboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Greensboro leads in median household income at $58,884, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Greensboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. 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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