Greensboro NC vs Richmond 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%
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Richmond
115,396
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Richmond
37.6
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Greensboro +
Richmond
21.4%
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Richmond
17.3%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 115,396 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 37.6 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 34.5% | Richmond + |
| White | 40.4% | 21.4% | Greensboro + |
| Black | 42.2% | 17.3% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 13.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 46.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Richmond
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
Richmond
32.6%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $90,038 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $41,898 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 7.0% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 13.7% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 32.6% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Richmond
$608,357
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Richmond
52.5%
Richmond +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $608,357 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 52.5% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Greensboro +
Richmond
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Greensboro +
Richmond
2388
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Richmond, 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%
Richmond
32.9%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Greensboro +
Richmond
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Richmond
17.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Greensboro +
Richmond
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Richmond
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Richmond
11.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 32.9% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.9% | Greensboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.9% | Greensboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.9% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Richmond
58.5°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Richmond
24.9 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | 58.5°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 24.9 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Greensboro +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 37.7 min | Greensboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, 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 Richmond. Greensboro has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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