Greensboro NC vs Richmond VA — 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, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Richmond
227,595
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Richmond
34.5
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Richmond
42.0%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Greensboro +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 227,595 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.5 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 8.6% | Greensboro + |
| White | 40.4% | 43.2% | Richmond + |
| Black | 42.2% | 42.0% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 2.1% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 10.3% | Greensboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Greensboro +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $62,671 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.0% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 18.8% | Greensboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Greensboro +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $374,265 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 43.5% | Greensboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
39.1%
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Greensboro +
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Greensboro +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Greensboro +
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 36.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.3% | Greensboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.8% | Greensboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.2% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.9% | Greensboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Greensboro +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | 58.9°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 43.6 in | Greensboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Greensboro +
Richmond
23.6 min
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 23.6 min | Greensboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while greensboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,214. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Greensboro. Greensboro has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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