Greensboro NC vs San Marcos TX — 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%
San Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Greensboro
40.4%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 99,507 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 35.2 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 5.8% | Greensboro + |
| White | 40.4% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 42.2% | 4.3% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 1.4% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Greensboro +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $33,835 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 24.9% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $313,452 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Greensboro +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Greensboro +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Greensboro + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Greensboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
39.1%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Greensboro +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Greensboro +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 22.3% | Greensboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 19.7% | Greensboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 19.7% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Greensboro +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | 68.5°F | Greensboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Greensboro +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Greensboro +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Greensboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Greensboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, 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 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Greensboro has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
Compare More Cities
Greensboro, NC vs New York, NYGreensboro, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Greensboro, NCGreensboro, NC vs Houston, TXGreensboro, NC vs Phoenix, AZGreensboro, NC vs Philadelphia, PA