Greensboro NC vs Lincoln NE — 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%
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Lincoln
291,932
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Greensboro +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 291,932 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 9.2% | Greensboro + |
| White | 40.4% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 42.2% | 4.2% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 4.5% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 8.8% | Greensboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Lincoln
$293,233
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $293,233 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
39.1%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 20.6% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while greensboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,214. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Greensboro. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Lincoln has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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