Greensboro NC vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Greensboro +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 35.5 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 40.4% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 42.2% | 6.6% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 8.2% | Greensboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Greensboro +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $871,599 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 44.3% | Greensboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Greensboro +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Greensboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
39.1%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 19.0% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Greensboro +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 28.8 min | Greensboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while greensboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,214. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Greensboro. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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