Greensboro NC vs Louisville 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
Louisville
9.8%
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Louisville
23.7%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Greensboro +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 37.7 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 9.8% | Greensboro + |
| White | 40.4% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 42.2% | 23.7% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 2.6% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 8.6% | Greensboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Greensboro +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $64,731 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $38,890 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $52,606 | Greensboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 16.1% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 33.4% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
39.1%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Louisville, 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
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Greensboro +
Louisville
43.3 in
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 43.3 in | Greensboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Greensboro +
Louisville
24.2 min
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 24.2 min | Greensboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Greensboro. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Greensboro, NC vs New York, NYGreensboro, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Greensboro, NCGreensboro, NC vs Houston, TXGreensboro, NC vs Phoenix, AZGreensboro, NC vs Philadelphia, PA