Greensboro NC vs Spokane 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Spokane
229,228
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Greensboro +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 229,228 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 37.2 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 6.1% | Greensboro + |
| White | 40.4% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 42.2% | 2.7% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 2.9% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 7.8% | Greensboro + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.0% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 32.6% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $400,636 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Greensboro +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Greensboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
39.1%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Greensboro +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.6% | Greensboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 17.5% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while greensboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,214. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Greensboro. Greensboro has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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