Greensboro NC vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
Salem
12.2%
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 176,666 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 35.7 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 12.2% | Greensboro + |
| White | 40.4% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 42.2% | 1.6% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 3.5% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.3% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 31.4% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $438,754 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Greensboro +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3001 | Greensboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
39.1%
Greensboro +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Greensboro +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Greensboro +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 41.4% | Greensboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.8% | Greensboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.6% | Greensboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.2% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Greensboro +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Greensboro +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Greensboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Greensboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Greensboro +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 24.5 min | Greensboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while greensboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,214. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Greensboro. Greensboro has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Greensboro has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Greensboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.1%.
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