Greensboro NC vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
Portland
11.1%
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Greensboro +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 68,505 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 37.5 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 11.1% | Greensboro + |
| White | 40.4% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 42.2% | 9.0% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 3.2% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 3.1% | Greensboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Greensboro +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $561,069 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 46.7% | Greensboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
39.1%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 18.3% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Greensboro +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 47.3 in | Greensboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while greensboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,214. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Greensboro. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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