Greensboro NC vs Montgomery 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Montgomery
198,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Greensboro +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Montgomery
3.3%
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Greensboro +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 198,440 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 36.2 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 5.5% | Greensboro + |
| White | 40.4% | 27.7% | Greensboro + |
| Black | 42.2% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 3.3% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 4.8% | Greensboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Greensboro +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Greensboro +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Greensboro +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Greensboro +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
Montgomery
33.5%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $55,687 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $32,068 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $51,690 | Greensboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.5% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 20.9% | Greensboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 33.5% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Greensboro +
Montgomery
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 400 | Greensboro + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
39.1%
Greensboro +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Greensboro +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Greensboro +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 46.4% | Greensboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.7% | Greensboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.3% | Greensboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Greensboro +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Greensboro +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | 64.5°F | Greensboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 52.8 in | Greensboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Greensboro +
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Montgomery, 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
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Greensboro leads in median household income at $58,884, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Greensboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. 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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