Greensboro NC vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 149,519 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 41.6 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 6.8% | Greensboro + |
| White | 40.4% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 42.2% | 4.8% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 2.6% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Surprise
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 31.0% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $422,520 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Greensboro +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Greensboro +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 450 | Greensboro + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2150 | Greensboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
39.1%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Surprise
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.9% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Greensboro +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 32.8 min | Greensboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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