Greensboro NC vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
Waco
9.8%
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 141,925 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 9.8% | Greensboro + |
| White | 40.4% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 42.2% | 20.4% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 2.0% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Greensboro +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Greensboro +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Greensboro +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $51,468 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $28,819 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 24.0% | Greensboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 28.6% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Greensboro +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 48.9% | Greensboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Greensboro +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Greensboro +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Greensboro + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Greensboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
39.1%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Greensboro +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Greensboro +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Greensboro +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Greensboro +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.0% | Greensboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 20.4% | Greensboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 20.4% | Greensboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.2% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.1% | Greensboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Greensboro +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | 66.6°F | Greensboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Greensboro +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Greensboro +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Greensboro + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Greensboro + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Greensboro leads in median household income at $58,884, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Greensboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Greensboro has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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