Greensboro NC vs Los Angeles 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%
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Los Angeles
36.9
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Greensboro +
Los Angeles
37.3%
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Los Angeles
8.5%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 3,857,897 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 36.9 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 35.8% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 40.4% | 37.3% | Greensboro + |
| Black | 42.2% | 8.5% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 12.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 47.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Los Angeles
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Los Angeles
16.6%
Los Angeles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
Los Angeles
37.8%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $80,366 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $46,270 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 7.9% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 16.6% | Los Angeles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 37.8% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Los Angeles
$956,465
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Greensboro +
Los Angeles
36.3%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $956,465 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 36.3% | Greensboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Greensboro +
Los Angeles
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Greensboro +
Los Angeles
2388
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Los Angeles, 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%
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Greensboro +
Los Angeles
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Los Angeles
15.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 27.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.4% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.2% | Greensboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.9% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.9% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Greensboro +
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | 62.6°F | Greensboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 12.8 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Los Angeles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Greensboro +
Los Angeles
33.8 min
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 33.8 min | Greensboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, 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 Los Angeles. Greensboro has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
Compare More Cities
Greensboro, NC vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs Greensboro, NCGreensboro, NC vs Houston, TXGreensboro, NC vs Phoenix, AZGreensboro, NC vs Philadelphia, PAGreensboro, NC vs San Antonio, TX