Greensboro NC vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 186,419 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 40.4% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 42.2% | 7.8% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Tempe
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.7% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Greensboro +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $468,328 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 41.6% | Greensboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Greensboro +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Greensboro +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Tempe, 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%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 18.3% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Greensboro +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | 71.3°F | Greensboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 Tempe. Greensboro has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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