Greensboro NC vs Mobile AL — 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%
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Mobile
185,097
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Greensboro +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Mobile
2.1%
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Greensboro +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 185,097 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 37.7 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 3.8% | Greensboro + |
| White | 40.4% | 39.9% | Greensboro + |
| Black | 42.2% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 2.1% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 3.1% | Greensboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Greensboro +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Greensboro +
Mobile
$32,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Greensboro +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Mobile
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Greensboro +
Mobile
18.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
Mobile
31.5%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $51,090 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $32,893 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $51,690 | Greensboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.9% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 18.9% | Greensboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 31.5% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 51.4% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Greensboro +
Mobile
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 400 | Greensboro + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
39.1%
Greensboro +
Mobile
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Greensboro +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Greensboro +
Mobile
14.9%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 40.0% | Greensboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 17.0% | Greensboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.9% | Greensboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Greensboro +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Greensboro +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | 67.4°F | Greensboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 65.3 in | Greensboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Greensboro +
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Greensboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Greensboro +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 24.5 min | Greensboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Greensboro leads in median household income at $58,884, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Greensboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Greensboro has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Greensboro has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Greensboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.1%.
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