Greensboro NC vs Modesto 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Modesto
218,614
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Modesto
35.4
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 218,614 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 35.4 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 40.4% | 50.8% | Modesto + |
| Black | 42.2% | 4.7% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Greensboro +
Modesto
$34,656
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $34,656 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 7.3% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 20.3% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $447,353 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Greensboro +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Greensboro +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Modesto, 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%
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Greensboro +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Greensboro +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Greensboro +
Modesto
13.7%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 36.2% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.1% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.0% | Greensboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.0% | Greensboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.5% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.7% | Greensboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Greensboro +
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | 63.7°F | Greensboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Greensboro +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 30.5 min | Greensboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, 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 Modesto. Greensboro has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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