Greensboro NC vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Greensboro +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.8 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 40.4% | 16.5% | Greensboro + |
| Black | 42.2% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 1.9% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Greensboro +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Greensboro +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Greensboro +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $48,416 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $25,509 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 10.9% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 24.7% | Greensboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 17.4% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Greensboro +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $482,675 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 24.1% | Greensboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
39.1%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Greensboro +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Greensboro +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Greensboro +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Newark
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Greensboro +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.6% | Greensboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 20.0% | Greensboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 23.4% | Greensboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.3% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 18.2% | Greensboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Greensboro +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 46.3 in | Greensboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Greensboro +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 35.9 min | Greensboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Greensboro leads in median household income at $58,884, while greensboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,214. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Greensboro. Greensboro has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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