Greensboro NC vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Greensboro +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 35.2 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 11.0% | Greensboro + |
| White | 40.4% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 42.2% | 14.4% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 4.2% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 9.2% | Greensboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Greensboro +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $52,606 | Greensboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $332,727 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
39.1%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Greensboro +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 45.2 in | Greensboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while greensboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,214. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Greensboro. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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