Greensboro NC vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 190,214 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 40.4% | 40.7% | Providence + |
| Black | 42.2% | 13.3% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Greensboro +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 7.4% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 20.1% | Greensboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 34.7% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Greensboro +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $429,449 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 41.2% | Greensboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
39.1%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Greensboro +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Greensboro +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.6% | Greensboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 14.6% | Greensboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.7% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Greensboro +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 27.4 min | Greensboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while greensboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,214. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Greensboro. Greensboro has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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