Greensboro NC vs Long Beach 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%
Long Beach, CA
California · Population: 458,491
- Median HH Income$83,969
- Median Home Price$862,599
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+34.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Long Beach
36.8
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Long Beach
41.6%
Long Beach +
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Long Beach
11.9%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 458,491 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 36.8 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 24.7% | Long Beach + |
| White | 40.4% | 41.6% | Long Beach + |
| Black | 42.2% | 11.9% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 12.8% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 43.4% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Long Beach
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
Long Beach
34.8%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $83,969 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $42,370 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.5% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 15.0% | Long Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 34.8% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Long Beach
$862,599
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Greensboro +
Long Beach
40.9%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $862,599 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 40.9% | Greensboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Greensboro +
Long Beach
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Greensboro +
Long Beach
2388
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Long Beach, 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%
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Greensboro +
Long Beach
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Long Beach
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 27.4% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.7% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.5% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.9% | Greensboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.7% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Greensboro +
Long Beach
64.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | 64.7°F | Greensboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 12.3 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Long Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Long Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Greensboro +
Long Beach
32.6 min
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 32.6 min | Greensboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, 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 Long Beach. Greensboro has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Long Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Long Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.4%.
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