Greensboro NC vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Raleigh
34.7
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Raleigh
27.5%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.7 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 40.4% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 42.2% | 27.5% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 4.7% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Raleigh
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $435,807 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Raleigh
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Raleigh
1999
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
39.1%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.3% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Greensboro +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Greensboro +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | 61.1°F | Greensboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 46.2 in | Greensboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Raleigh, NC | 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 +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 25.1 min | Greensboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while greensboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,214. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Greensboro. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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