Greensboro NC vs Pasadena 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%
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Pasadena
48.4%
Pasadena +
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Greensboro +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 67,231 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 42.5 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 36.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 40.4% | 48.4% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 42.2% | 2.2% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 7.1% | Greensboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 5.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Pasadena
54.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $1,215,642 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 54.2% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Greensboro +
Pasadena
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Greensboro +
Pasadena
2388
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Pasadena, 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%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Pasadena
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.2% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.4% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.2% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Greensboro +
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | 67.0°F | Greensboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 21.2 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Greensboro +
Pasadena
24.8 min
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 24.8 min | Greensboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, 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 Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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