Greensboro NC vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 91,535 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 42.9 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 40.4% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 42.2% | 4.9% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.1% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Greensboro +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $865,610 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 28.8% | Greensboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Greensboro +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Greensboro +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Santa Ana, 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%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Greensboro +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Greensboro +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Greensboro +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.0% | Greensboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.7% | Greensboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 20.7% | Greensboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.7% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Greensboro +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | 65.6°F | Greensboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Greensboro +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 28.0 min | Greensboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Greensboro has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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